Post Courier, Wednesday January 7, 2015

Deadly chase

DETECTIVES from Port Moresby will investigate the high speed car chase across Lae on January 1, which resulted in the shooting-

death of the woman driver Moanna Pisimi. Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki ordered the investigation yesterday

amid mounting pressure from relatives and claims among the Lae public that the pursuing police in the chase may have fired the

fatal shot that killed Ms Pisimi. Mr Vaki assured the Butibam relatives that “necessary lawful action” would be taken against those

found to be responsible for the fatal shooting.

The fatal chase started at Dragon Entertainment Centre on Markham Road

and ended at back road, where Ms Pisimi was found dead with a gunshot wound in the back of her head. DETAILS ON PAGE 5

Dragon Entertainment Centre

Lae shooting needs coronial inquest

ITIS unfortunate that a high speed car chase in Lae culminated with the tragic shooting of a young woman.

Moanna Pisimi was found dead in the early hours of last Thursday morning after she drove past two police stations in Lae at high speed and did not stop despite repeated attempts by the police and security guards.

Lae police, who were at the scene of the incident immediately after the high speed car chase, confirmed that she sustained a gunshot wound to the back of her head and died from heavy loss of blood.

The killing has yet again put members of the Royal PNG Constabulary under the spotlight with Papua New Guineans taking to social media to decry the strong arm tactics and the tendency by the police to pull the trigger.

But the Lae Metropolitan Commander Iven Lakatani said it was premature for the family of the deceased as well as the public to blame his officers for the shooting.

“After speeding past two police stations and not stopping when police warned her, all thoughts were it was a stolen motor vehicle because it was driven at very high speed and did not stop when warned to stop,” said the top cop.

Police Commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, yesterday announced that Port Moresby-based detectives will be flown to Lae to investigate the shooting while assuring the family and relatives of the deceased that appropriate action will be taken.

While we commend the police commissioner for decisively dealing with the issue by announcing the deployment of non-resident police detectives, we believe the public will continue to question the impartiality and objectivity of the investigating officers unless a team independent of the constabulary is appointed.

There has been talk in recent days pushing for the establishment of a coronial inquest to establish the facts surround the case and the circumstances leading up to the shooting incident which led to the death of Moanna Pisimi.

A coronial inquest can be called in PNG under the Coroner’s Act 1953. Consequently, we support the push for the establishment of an inquest into her death, as it would enable the coroner to gather information to assist him or her to make a determination on the cause and circumstances of death and to come up with recommendations to prevent similar deaths reoccurring in the future. The circumstances and events leading up to the tragic death of Moanna Pisimi and the involvement of security guards and policemen warrant the setting up of an inquest. The decision by the police to shoot at the speeding vehicle – without concern for the safety of the public – also raises questions about their training and whether they should restraint themselves in certain situations. A coroner, who will be recruited independent of the constabulary, will be in a better position to produce an objective report whose findings will be accepted by all parties including the police as well as the grieving family.

It appears that the modus operandi for the RPNGC when faced with a high speed car chase is to fire warning shots or take aim at the offending driver. An inquest, if established, could investigate this and recommend alternative policing methodologies that do not lead to loss of lives.

How to contact us

CIRCULATION

Ph: 309 1013 Fax: 321 3284

Email: togolob@spp.com.pg

DELIVERY INQUIRIES

Ph: 309 1102

Email: togolob@spp.com.pg

REGIONAL OFFICES

Lae: Franco Nebas

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

Kokopo: Grace Tiden

Ph: 982 9186. Fax: 982 9147.

Email: gracetiden@gmail.com

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

Buka: David Lornie

Ph: 973 9188

Fax: 973 9170

Email: davelornie@ digicelpacific.blackberry.com

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NEWS

Ph

Court rules in Prime Minister’s favour

By ADRIAN MATHIAS

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday won the first round of the court challenge on his referral to the leadership tribunal on allegations of misconduct in office.

The National Court granted Mr O’Neill leave to add members of the leadership tribunal as party to the case and to amend an originating summons he had instituted on November 20 last year against the Public Prosecutor.

In that proceeding, Mr O’Neill sought a declaration that the Public Prosecutor was not entitled to refer the

alleged misconduct in office against him to a leadership tribunal.

He also sought a permanent injunction to restrain the Public Prosecutor from referring the matter to such a tribunal. Also on November 20, 2014, Mr O’Neill filed a notice of motion seeking an interim injunction to restrain the Public Prosecutor from referring the matter to the tribunal and, an order referring a question of constitutional interpretation and application arising from the proposed referral, to the Supreme Court under section 18(2) of the Constitution.

Mr O’Neill stated in his application for leave on Monday that the amendment of the originating summons in the terms he had proposed would facilitate a more expeditious determination of the real questions raised by the proceedings on the constitutionality of the Public Prosecutor’s decisions relating to referral of alleged misconduct in office to the tribunal and the jurisdiction of the tribunal to inquire into that matter and avoid the prospect of multiplicity of proceedings.

Justice David Cannings upheld these submissions by Mr O’Neill and ordered that:

The members of the leadership tribunal set up and headed by a retired New Zealand judge Sir Peter Blanchard and members retired Australian Federal Court judge John von Boussa and Justice Salatiel Lenalia are added to the proceeding as second defendants with first defendant, Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin; and Leave is granted to Mr O’Neill to amend the originating summons filed on November 20, 2014.

The parties will return to court today at 1.30pm to make submissions on the substantive case.

PRIME Minister Peter O’NeillPUBLIC Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin

Teachers leave fare blame game continues

BY NELLIE SETEPANO

EDUCATION Minister Nick

Kuman says the issue of leave fares for teachers was caused by mismanagement from the provinces concerned, which is affecting teachers.

He said the Education Department cannot be blamed for not paying teachers leave fares.

“The department does not keep monies for leave fares and leave entitlements,” Mr Kuman said.

He said there are some provinces that have not got it right while others have.

The minister explained to the Post-Courier yesterday that since certain government functions were decentralised, provinces now take the responsibility to take

The bottom line

At a glance

NICK KUMAN: He is the Education Minister and MP for Gumine Open.

LEAVE APPLICATION: Teachers eligible for a six week leave should apply for leave a year earlier and before the month of April.

WHY: Fares are catered in a budget for each following year.

care of their own teachers.

The Education Department is responsible for the national functions of schools of excellence, vocational schools and teachers colleges.

The minister emphasised clearly that every teacher eligible for a six week leave (after two years) should apply

for leave a year earlier and before the month of April.

This is so that their leave fares and entitlements are catered in a budget for each year.

“I have directed the Education Department to remind teachers of that directive,” the minister said.

Mr Kuman said teachers are the last people who should be confused about this directive.

“Educated people such as teachers know about this directive and should not be ignorant,” the minister said.

Mr Kuman said some provinces such as Morobe, which have a very large number of teachers, must be managed well by the provincial education authorities and treasury office. Teacher leave fares

have been a chronic issues for years but is slowly been addressed by provinces. Still some provinces fail teachers but the minister said authorities are in current dialogue to address this issue.

James Bond was originally going to be called James Secretan

FIJI SCAMS

PNG has made headlines in Fiji. It seems Fijians have been falling victim to dodgy recruitment agents promising highly paid jobs in PNG, compelling their Port Moresby-based diplomat to caution his wantoks to watch out for scams.

NOT READY

PACIFIC Games officials have broken their silence on the status of the construction work on key infrastructure in the NCD. They have conceded that some of the facilities will not be ready when the event opens on July 4.

WHERE?

THERE are now discussions on using makeshift facilities for those infrastructures which will not be ready for the games. Maybe those in the know might want to enlighten us on where those temporary sites are in the city.

NO TICKS

EVEN Port Moresby’s unpredictable weather is giving games contractors headaches. Rain over the last four days continues to delay progress. Even the

countdown clock at the Sir John Guise Stadium roundabout has stopped ticking.

WELCOME

IF YOU can’t beat them join them! Long-time scribe put up a fight over the years against having an online identity, he shunned Facebook and blogosphere. But debates on big issues are happening on social media so he eventually gave in and opened an account.

BE READY

THE accuracy of the data provided by the National Weather Service is worrying some quarters. Consequently, their latest projection of an El Nino-like drought affecting PNG this year hasn’t really hit home. Be prepared as it is better to be safe than sorry.

COVERAGE

ROSSEL Islanders could only talk to loved ones using satellite phones until a month ago when the Digicel footprint entered the island. But some areas in the east and west of the island still lack coverage. Food for thought for the local MP and the mobile phone company.

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

FOLKS at City Hall might want to advise the trucking company whose drivers use this spot in town illegally as their carpark to move their container trucks to their company yard.

PORT Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour is an attraction in itself. Whether you’re looking out from the harbour to see the nearby islands or beyond to see the sunset on the horizon, it is indeed a wonderful sight. If you’re out at sea and looking towards the main wharf, that too is a magnificent sight with buildings of different heights and shapes scattered along the waterfront and the hills. There is still space for more development and one wonders what it will look like once all the vacant space is taken up. –Skerah

FAIRFAX HARBOUR

NICK Kuman

Marape confident prices will go up

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE Government is confident that mineral prices will pickup in the coming months despite drops in the world commodity and mineral price.

Leader of government business and Finance Minister

James Marape said the Treasury Department was monitoring the current down-turn on the global commodity and mineral prices. Mr Marape also appealed to local commentators and critics to be careful not to use “smoke screens” in their arguments for their political interest.

“Our mineral prices will pick up, there is a trade off here now, you see, Don (Polye) talks about the drop in oil prices, I put to him the 52 cargoes of LNG we sold up front,” Mr Marape said.

“Those were never budgeted for in his books as Treasurer in 2013 when he formulated his budget, 52 cargoes of LNG pre-sold are numbers that he did not have and when I weigh the drop in revenue and other revenue measures that we have, for instance, when I put to him the possibility of an increase in nickel price for instance, possible increase in gold price for instance, so our focus for 2015 for our economy is very considerate of the glo-

Govt to announce key plans for change

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill will soon make an announcement of some key Government intervention programs that will touch the lives of Papua New Guineans.

At a glance

CONFIDENT: Despite the drop in world commodity and mineral prices the Government is confident the prices will pick-up in the coming months.

POSITIVE: The Government remains positive it can pull us through this year, even under immense pressures.

bal economic scenario.

“We have seven million people who are running on our back as their Government we can’t afford to jeopardise their lives and the exposure of our economy as a secure investment destination by international investors as well as an economy that is robust and growing is a business for everyone of us.

“Despite deficit budgets we got infrastructures coming up, paid all our bills on time, This is a very important year for us, we have SP Games, we also have 40 years anniversary coming up, we will make sure we tick off all the major infrastructure we want to do.

“When we are running a deficit budget, we are very serious in managing the cash and the money that we have so that there is no time for wastage and squander.”

CONFISCATED GOODS

Although the Government is tight lipped on the details concerning the interventions, the Post-Courier understands that it will specifically target the economic as well as the social sector.

This would follow on from the land and housing intervention last year when Mr O’Neill announced a K200 million package at the Bank South Pacific for first-time home buyers to access and build their homes.

Finance Minister James Marape gave an indication but did not give details, leaving it to Mr O’Neill to make that announcement although he hinted the programs would be similar to the housing policy which is “one of the best in the world”.

“When you look at the housing policy that we announced, can you name another country globally who has this sort of housing policy, 40 years at 4 per cent interest rate? This is one of the best ever housing intervention program by any government globally.”

“The Prime Minister will very soon announce some new key economic policies and I will leave it to him to announce that as head of the Government.”

Mr Marape said the K200 million parked at BSP had been carried over to this year and the Government had received indications from other banks who wanted to get involved in the housing program.

Jiwaka invests in major education infrastructure development project

BY JOHNNY POIYA

THE Jiwaka Provincial Government yesterday launched a K1.5 million project to build 300 double classrooms for elementary schools.

Governor William Tongamp distributed four portable

The bottom line

sawmills and a truck to three districts at a cost of K332,000 to start construction, saying his government would also provide iron roofing costing K1million in its partnership with the communities.

He said all classrooms are expected to be completed by

the end of this year.

The portable sawmills will begin cutting timber for the classrooms from today. While the Government provided roofing, a truck and mills for the project, the community contribution would be providing timber,

A lion in the wild usually makes no more than 20 kills a year.

One Rate to Call

labour and fuel. Mr Tongamp handed the sawmills to Jimi, Anglimp-South Wahgi and North Wahgi districts, saying Jiwaka would go forward if the community components were provided willingly.

“We are a new province and we have to look at ways

of working together to bring maximum development at little cost,” he said.

“This is a new scheme and if we achieve our goal, we can do it in other areas.”

He said his government’s focus was on children so it was important to establish the

foundation for education.

Mr Tongamp said schools which had already cut its timbers could go collect the iron roofing to start building.

He said the provincial government also has plans to build libraries for all 300 schools by next year.

OVER the recent festive season police throughout the country put in an excellent effort to controll law and order, which usually gets out of hand when fuelled by alcohol. Pictured are just a few of the thousands of litres of alcohol confiscated during the Christmas and New Year period in Port Moresby.

Police to probe Pisimi shooting

POLICE Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has issued orders for immediate investigations into the shooting of a woman and the murder of a Singaporean businessman in Lae, Morobe Province.

Mr Vaki said a team of detectives from Port Moresby will investigate the shooting of Moana Pisimi, who was killed by a bullet during a high speed car chase on New Year’s Eve.

Ms Pisimi was allegedly chased by police and private security guards towards the back road in Lae at around 3:30am on January 1, before she was found dead inside her car.

Mr Vaki said a senior detective from Port Moresby will be in charge, and depending on the outcome of these investigations, necessary charges would be laid against those responsible for the killings.

Commissioner Vaki said the investigation team was coming from Port Moresby because of the barrage of accusations levelled against police in the Pisimi shooting incident.

“The Pisimi shooting would be investigated like every other homicide case and necessary lawful action would be taken against the perpetrators” Commissioner Vaki said yesterday.

He said the team would also vigorously investigate the murder of a Singaporean businessman who was found

Lakatani traces incident route

MOANNA Pisimi’s death after a high speed car chase through the streets of Lae was “an unfortunate incident”, Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Iven Lakatani reiterated yesterday.

According to Lakatani, the car chase started at down town in Lae city after Ms Pisimi had driven out of the Dragons night club to top town, passing the Lae police station at high speed.

At a glance

GEOFFREY VAKI: He is the Police Commissioner.

INVESTIGATE: A team of detectives from Port Moresby will investigate the shooting of Ms Moana Pisimi.

CAUSE OF DEATH: She died from a bullet would to the back of her head.

ALLEGEDLY: Ms Pisimi was allegedly chased by police and private security guards at around 3:30am on January 1, before she was found dead inside her car.

ELDERLY women from Butibam, known as the mama giamsaus, at the late Moanna Pisimi’s haus krai. Picture: FRANKIY KAPIN

Burial after investigations

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

THE investigation into the death of car chase victim Moanna Pisimi must be proper and diligent, her Butibam village elders said yesterday.

questions the grieving relatives wanted to know included why their daughter was at the Dragon night club and not heading for home.

could have been avoided but they would await a thorough investigation promised by Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki.

Initially, Guard Dog Security gave chase and after passing the China Town police station Lae police joined in the chase towards Malahang Industrial Centre along the back road.

Several attempts were made to stop the vehicle along the way towards Malahang.

The chase continued to Majestic Seafood where Ms Pisimi’s vehicle may have veered off the road and a couple of warning shots were fired.

When police arrived to check the vehicle, it drove off again along the side road. What transpired next had not been fully explained, except that shots may have been fired at the tyres in a bid to stop the vehicle continuing and endangering other motorists and pedestrians.

Police investigations started right after the incident took place and so far witnesses have been identified and statements attained. At this stage the weapon and bullet used will be identified only after the postmortem is conducted. The Angau hospital has confirmed receiving the body which is now before the coroner and subject to a postmortem.

dead inside his home at Lae’s Eriku suburb.

The Commissioner said police will use all available means and resources to hunt down the killers and bring them to justice.

Jonathan Benjamin, chairman of the Butibam community, called on Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Iven Lakatani to ensure that the investigation was thorough and that justice prevails.

At a media conference at Butibam, Pisimi’s mother’s village, Mr Benjamin said

“She has a house here in Butibam as well at One-Mile, why did she not drive home as she was by herself?” he said.

Mr Benjamin also asked if police had a report of a stolen vehicle in the area to warrant firing warning shots over Ms Pisimi’s vehicle.

Butibam paramount chief Mala Nathaniel, representing six clans, said the tragedy

Mr Nathaniel said the community as well relatives of the father of the victim had agreed to let justice take its course within a reasonable period.

Butibam church elder Tibutung Nago said investigations into the death of Peter Banaga, father of Moana, who died last year is yet to be completed by police.

Lakatani explained that high powered firearms produce a small point of entry on the subject but the exit is a larger opening which at this stage will be confirmed by the investigations.

He said police were the third vehicle in the chase after guard dog who were right behind the victim and further away was two more police vehicles.

SEE PAGE 6

POLICE Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki

Kuman: Standard-based system will go ahead

THE standards-based education (SBE) curriculum will go ahead this year despite the lack of preparedness by the Education Department, says Education Minister Nick Kuman.

The minister wanted to see the new system implemented this year as part of a government directive.

Mr Kuman said yesterday that the implementation was a slow process and would begin with elementary to grade five this year. It would not be a hurried

HIV focus must shift

THE Government must focus on one HIV/AIDS awareness method only, says a community leader.

Mulkona community leader in Tambul-Nebilyer district of Western Highlands Thomas Mek said it is misleading the people by pumping millions of kina into HIV/AIDS awareness activities while also spending a lot on the anti-retroviral treatment (ART) drugs.

Mr Mek said he was moved after having witnessed the hype of activities done to commemorate the World AIDS Day in December last year.

He said from a local community perspective, the Government was confusing the people. It should stick to one solution only.

He said people infected with the virus have taken the ART drugs and are healthy and then they go around and spread the virus and yet awareness in ongoing but HIV Aids reported cases are still increasing every year.

“It is difficult for PNG to move forward, in 10 or 20 years’ time the country will go down with AIDS,” said Mr Mek.

Nipa roadwork set to take off

THE People of Semin village, Nipa Kutubu, Southern Highlands received a timely gift from the people of Nipa Kutubu when a K300,000 was presented for the construction of their road during the New Year.

At a glance

ISSUE: Standard Based Education (SBE) will go ahead this year despite the lack of preparedness by the national education department.IMPLIMENTATION: The implementation process was completed phase two would be implemented for Grade Six to Grade Nine next year followed by Grade 10 to Grade 12 by 2017. VISION: As a Government directive, the minister wanted to see the new system implemented this year.

process as the public may anticipate, he said. He admitted that there was limited preparedness

such as awareness and late training for teachers but that would not stop the new system from going ahead.

“Implementing this system will not cause chaos,” he said. He said since 2011, the

Government had decided to abolish the outcomes-based education (OBE) and re-introduce the SBE.

“As minister responsible for education I made it my job to implement this system this year and that is what I am doing.”

Mr Kuman told the PostCourier that when the implementation process was completed phase two would be implemented for grade six to grade nine next year followed by grade 10 to grade 12 by 2017.

The three kilometres road from Mopra to Wirin village would serve more than two and half thousand people and was launched by Nipakutubu MP Jeffery Komal.

The road launching was also witnessed by the managing director of National Petroleum Company of PNG Wapu Sonk who spent his New Year break in his home village.

Mr Komal appealed to the people to refrain from demanding compensation over such projects.

A HUGE ocean liner sails around Ela Beach and Paga Hill point on its way to the main wharf in Fairfax Harbour, Port Moresby. In the foreground are children frolicking in the shalllows to beat the city’s notorious heat.

TYPICAL ELA BEACH WEEKEND

EDUCATION Minister Nick Kuman

Relatives

want Aust police in Lae probe

LAE district women representative Carol Ahi wants the Australian Federal Police to be involved in the investigation of the Moanna Pisimi shooting death.

Ms Ahi, also a family member, said the Australian Federal Police would be neutral and carry out an investigation that Pisimi’s relatives should welcome.

She said the death added to the growing statistics of violence and killings against women not only in Lae but other parts of PNG.

“I believe that this shouldn’t happen and police should really work hard into this kind of issues to stop violence against women and killing against women,” said Ms Ahi.

She called for justice to prevail and whoever was responsible for Pisimi’s death should face the full force of the law.

Kerema MP rejects Kavo

KEREMA MP Richard

Mendani says he does not recognise Havila Kavo as Gulf Governor after the Supreme Court released him on bail pending appeal against his misappropriation conviction last month.

The court said Kavo could remain governor while awaiting the appeal but Mr Mendani said he sees things

differently. “In my view, I don’t see him as the governor,” Mr Mendani said.

He said elected leaders as well as the people of Gulf Province had lost trust and confidence in Kavo when he was found guilty of misappropriation.

“I will support him (Kavo) as a regional MP, but not as the Governor,” Mr Mendani

said. The convicted governor’s claims to governorship of the province had been in forfeited when Kavo was put behind bars, he said.

He said Kavo should not continue to govern the province. The Kerema MP acknowledged that Kavo had the right to appeal his conviction within 40 days of sentence but questioned

New Years Day death goes viral on social media

THE death of Moanna Pisimi on January 1 went viral on social media with many people commenting and discussing the tragic death on their Facebook pages. The Post-Courier’s Facebook page recorded one of its highest hits, reaching more than 15,000 readers in less than 12 hours, and also recorded 400 shares, which means another 10,000 to 15,000 readers who have not liked Post-Courier’s Facebook page would have read the article. The number is still increasing.

According to a site administrator, this tragic incident is one of the hottest topics on social media.

Here are some of the comments from the Post-Courier Faceook page. (names of commentators have been withheld)

“This shot can’t be made by someone driving while putting a gun out from the side unless he is sitting on the roof or bonnet. Which means she was shot by someone standing right at her back while she stopped.”

“If the wheels were shot while she was in motion, she would have crashed the car,” said one post. “If she was shot while driving, she would have

crashed the car.

“If I were driving late at night and Police started chasing me and firing “warning shots”; there is no way I would stop either.

“Her husband should never have left her drive alone. And trailed her yet lost her and he ended up home and lost his wife.

“Use of firearms was that called for. Threat of harming pedestrians at that hour of the morning is highly impossible.

“Police investigation must be done by an external and independent group/Department.”

“Shooting her tyre, yes. But the back of her head because of reckless driving??”

“Everything doesn’t add up. A

why he should be reinstated as governor also.

The latter may be improper under sections of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments, he added.

It is understood Kavo convened a provincial executive council meeting yesterday which was attended by only three of the 13 council members.

Pisimi’s brother Tote Umba said it was hard for him while investigations into the death of his father Peter Banaga last year was still continuing.

Mr Banaga was found dead in his vehicle at the Waratahs club in Lae last year.

Mr Umba said such failure boils down to non-performance by police officers in Lae. Ms Ahi is also a family member of the late Moanna.

The shooting death of Moanna has sparked outrage in Lae and on social media.

Police investigations are underway.

loving husband and wife leave in separate vehicles as per the husband. She is seen to have driven out in rage by bystanders,” according to the post. Said another post: “It was in pursuit, chasing her and the lady was unarmed, doing exactly what I probably would have done in her place, fearing for her life ... goodness!

“There is no way a young woman would stop her vehicle at 3am if warning shots were fired from an unmarked vehicle at the back road! Is this a joke!?

“Were police in a marked vehicle with siren on? ... If not then she probably assumed they were rascals and stepped on it! Anyone would!”

THE carvers of East Sepik Province are renowned in PNG and overseas for their carving skills. Sepik art in fact can be found in most exotic art collections in many parts of the world. Seen here is a Sepik carver displaying his work for potential buyers at a popular shopping mall in Port Moresby.

SEPIK ART ON SHOW

MR Mendani

RELATIVES and community leaders at late Monna’s mourning in Lae.

Suspects grilled over killing

SEVERAL suspects are being questioned over the killing of a man and the burning down of several homes in the Bitapaka local level government area of Kokopo, East New Britain Province, last week.

The victim, James Dalman, 24, of Ralubang village, died from wounds he sustained when Sulka villagers from Vunabaur attacked people at Loong plantation early in the morning on December 30.

Police said the man was trying to escape the attack when he was killed.

It is believed the attack by the villagers was over land issues.

Police in Kokopo said in retaliation, villagers from Ralubang burnt down several houses at Vunabaur.

The situation was tense following the incidents and police had been frequenting the area since last week to ensure there was no further confrontation between the parties.

Direct flights into mining sites risky

BY TONY SII UPNG Journalism Student

THE Interpol office is concerned that direct and private overseas flights to LNG and mining sites can pose security threats.

Interpol’s officer in charge (OIC), Sergeant Kudd Saulapei said yesterday these flights were not checked and monitored regularly as required by law.

“As a result who and what is on board are unknown to the authorities,” he said.

Sgt Saulapei said those aboard could be terrorists, wanted trans-national crimi-

INTERPOL: The International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL, is a non-governmental organization facilitating international police cooperation. It was established as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) in 1923.

CONCERN: That direct and private overseas flights into LNG and mining sites can pose security threats. Interpol officer in charge Sgt Kudd Saulapei said these flights are not checked and monitored regularly monitored.

PROPOSES: Constant monitoring and surveillance at all entry points for flights into these sites and improved security measures.

nals, individuals with criminal intent or foreign nationals with fraudulent or no passports and visas bringing in illegal and even dangerous

items, including bullets and guns, bombs or dynamites.

“We really don’t know who and what are going in and out of those sites and who is

monitoring these flights. But these could be entry points for illegal people and objects,” he said.

He said security guards manning the LNG and mining sites could not do much as far as searching the flights are concerned as they were not trained to do so.

Sgt Saulapei said the security issue was unfolding under the nose of the government authorities who were doing little to address it.

“When you talk about the broader part of security there is nothing happening out there.

“We are not thinking, talk-

Relatives: Speed up probe into missing six

A RELATIVE of two of the six people who went missing at sea in early 2013 has called on relevant authorities to speed up investigations into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

ing, and living security because you can talk security in the office but when you get outside you forget about it and that’s whats happening in Parliament,” he said.

He said the PNG Customs and Immigration office must ensure there were constant monitoring and surveillance at all entry points for flights into the LNG and mining sites as well as improve these security measures at airports, airstrips and seaports, and border posts.

He also encouraged these organisations to work closer with Interpol to address the security issues.

Remote school opens new teacher’s house

BY TUMBE SAM JNR

THE Prince William Primary School in the Koiari Local Level Government (LLG) of Central Province will begin the 2015 academic year on a high note following the opening of a new teacher’s house recently.

The house, which was officially opened by KairukuHiri MP Peter Isoaimo, was funded at the cost of K25,000 from the MP’s District Sup-

port Improvement Program (DSIP) budget. The school which has only five teachers including the headmaster and his wife who teaches there have been silently serving in this remote area for so long without proper facilities.

Head teacher Lazarus Hano said it was the first help the school has received.

“Although it is an old school built during the colonial times, it had never seen any tangible developments.

“For the past 17 years, education officers and inspectors had never visited this school.

“Probably, the reason could be its remoteness or lack of proper facilities and Government services like roads and bridges,” Mr Hano said.

The people have voiced that they have been neglected from the basic health and education services.

They said since the establishment of the school Mr

Isoaimo was the first MP to visit and build a new teacher’s house in the area.

He pledged another double classroom this year and assures them that their education and health services would be addressed.

“Whether you voted me or not, I serve everyone in Kairuku-Hiri equally because they have been neglected and deprived of their basic rights to access services for so long,” Mr Isoaimo said.

Kepas Mondiai of Mioko Palpal in the Duke of York Islands, who is related to the two boat skippers, said it was now two years and nothing has been done to find out what had happened to the six people, including the four East New Britain public servants.

The six men were on their way back to Kokopo after a government gathering in Pomio when they disappeared in Pomio waters. He said the families of the missing six were assured in one of their meetings that investigations will be carried out but nothing constructive has been forthcoming.

He said families of the two boat operators continue to grieve and he urged the ENB Provincial Government and administration to speed up investigations before relatives of the two boat operators take appropriate action.

He said January 13 this year will be exactly two years since the disappearance of the six people.

Mr Mondiai also called on relatives of the missing four public servants to come forward and help them push for an immediate enquiry in the incident. He also called on the Governor Ereman ToBaining Jr, Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion and others to do something.

HOUSES had once stood proudly here, near Loong plantation. Only the charred remains of the posts remain today.

Exciting year ahead for PNG

BY LEONNIE WAYANG

THIS year has been predicted to be a year of promise and opportunity filled with big and exciting events for the country.

With Papua New Guinea set to play host to a lot of upcoming events, the Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary William Dihm told his officers that 2015 was shaping up to be a big year for the country.

“It will feature a number of big and exciting events. These will provide great opportunities for connecting with other nations and cultures, greater connectivity promises practical rewards,” Mr Dihm said.

Among some of the big events he mentioned were the Pacific Games and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

“The PIF will convene soon, bringing together leaders of 16 nations and their senior officials to discuss social and economic developments in and affecting the Pacific Islands region.

“Representatives of another 16 countries and the European Union, all influential global players in their own right, will participate in the post-forum dialogue with forum members.

“Opportunities also bring rewards. But rewards in this department must be based on merit and achievement.

“Our minister strongly endorses four important and promising initiatives that the senior management team and I have taken as we begin the new year, to open opportunities within the department,” he said.

The initiatives Mr Dihm highlighted include:

Advertising all vacant positions, and have as many as possible filled with qualified permanent appointments by February 1;

Discipline crucial to success, says Koim

BY RIODAN BEGUSHAR

HE is not only fighting corruption but also setting an example for the future generation to follow.

Chairman of the Investigation Task Force Sweep and chairman for the Rolgakes’ Peoples’ Foundation Association, Sam Koim, gathered all the students of his tribe (Rolgake) from grade seven up to university and lectured them for one and half hour yesterday at the Gumanch Lutheran Reform Church in Dei district, Western Highlands Province.

At a glance

WILLIAM DIHM: He is the Acting Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs.

2015 HOST: Papua New Guinea set to play host to a lot of upcoming events, such as the Pacific Games and the Pacific Islands Forum.

INITIATIVES: Advertise all vacant positions, new organisation structure for the Department of Foreign Affairs, An early start to the Foreign Service Training Program, attachments will also be sought from other countries, official launch of the corporate plan and implementation over the next two years

PURPOSE: These initiatives will help create stability and a more professional output-oriented work-place environment.

Submit to the Department of Personnel Management a new organisation structure for the Department of Foreign Affairs;

An early start to the foreign service training program and inclusion of a component of middle and senior management;

Other diplomatic and management training and professional attachments will also be sought from other countries, some of whose governments have already offered to provide opportunities for trainees and officers of the department; and Official launching of the corporate plan and implementation over the next two years.

“Together these initiatives will help create stability and a more professional outputoriented work-place environment.

“These initiatives will better prepare us to meet the opportunities and challenges lying ahead,” Mr Dihm said.

BUSINESS IS BOOMING

PICTURED are three youths selling cigarettes at a bus-stop at Badili in the nation’s capital. Cigarettes are a good way of generating profit. Because the habit of smoking is addictive and despite the health hazards, the item tends to sell quickly.

Church to host youth convention

BY MICHAEL KOMA

THE Evangelical Brotherhood Church in Sinasina is hosting the church’s nation youth convention next week in Koge village.

About 600 youths nationwide are expected to converge in Koge next Monday for the convention. EBC’s national president Pastor Koge and a missionary from Europe will also show up at Koge to address the youths.

Koge EBC church Pastor Joseph Waine has invited youths from other church denominations to come to the convention.

Pastor Waine told the Post-Courier it was the first time such a convention will be held Chimbu Province.

Nature Park set for kids program

PORT Moresby Nature Park is running a “kids for conservation” school holiday program for two-weeks starting on Monday in the lead up to the new academic year. The program will run with group brackets, one for ages 8-11 and the other for children aged 12-16 years.

The program will also include a number of fun games and activities focused on environmen-

tal learning. On the program, education supervisor Amos Babaga, being a qualified biology teacher said: “It will be an engaging group activity for kids and enable them to not only learn the importance of conservation but also have the opportunity to learn the conservation programs that Port Moresby Nature Park supports.”

“As well, children will be able to go behind the scenes and meet

some of our key staff and animals. Each kids for conservation group is strictly limited to 20 children per group per day so advanced bookings are essential. The program will run from 8:30am-3pm, Mon-Fri for the next two-weeks and be fully supervised by the park’s education team. Cost is K40 per child per day and includes morning tea and lunch.

He based his words on three things; purpose, vision and discipline. He told his audience that a student having these three principles in his/ her life will see true success.

“When you understand your purpose in your life, you will have vision and when you have vision it will discipline your life,” Mr Koim said.

He said he wants to see more of his type in his community and tribe, students with vision and discipline who will work for justice and honesty for the good of this country.

He said it does not matter what course they take in university or dreams they have right now of what they want to be in future, all they have to have is discipline.

“You can have the biggest dreams in your life, but if you do not discipline yourself, you are having another daydream,” Mr Koim said.

He shared some of his life experience with the students of how he came to be the person he is now known today, he said all he had in life was discipline.

RESIGN, HAVILA KAVO

LISTENING to the convicted Havila Kavo raving on that he is still the Governor of Gulf Province makes me sick. The law does indeed recognise Kavo as the serving Governor but if he had any integrity and he would do the honourable thing and resign from the post.

W hat a shame he has no respect for the of fi ce of the Governor of Gulf Province.

He has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the of fi ce of the Governor. How on earth is it that our laws allow those who are convicted to continue holding public of fi ce is beyond me. If MP’s like the Governor do not resign from public of fi ce when they are found to be guilty by a competent court than it is time this decision is taken from them. The Leadership Code must be amended to include a provision which states that if an MP is conv icted of an offence he loses his seat forthwith. He can appeal his conviction as an ordinary member of the public.

It is a national and international disgrace that these people continue to hold public of fi ce.

Daniel Hasimani

BSP ATM OUT OF CASH

IT SEEMS to be a practice nearly every week or two that our ATM in Wabag runs out of cash and customers are left disgusted.

Is it a new one toea mark-up policy or is the local management incapable of maintaining the ATM to make it ready and on time to serve its customers?

BSP seems to be telling its customers that we have systems failure. This issue has come about in the past six months and it continues. Wake up, BSP.

MGG Sapip Sangunights

Ways to solve teachers’ woes

AM looking for a middle-aged woman from Urimilkul village near Gumine district of fi ce. Her name is Catherine Sine. She should be in Warakum or somewhere in Mt Hagen. If someone knows her whereabout please call me on mobile phone #72649666.

I AGREE with the writer James Iki’s letter, “Solve teachers’ leave fare problems please”. This matter is a chronic problem and a recurring nightmare for our teachers, year in year out. Here is a simple solution to this leave fare problem and other outstanding industrial issues.

Teachers leave fare entitlements are legal entitlements.

It is due to teachers every two years including their dependents.

The Teaching Service Commission (employer) and the Education Department are managers of these entitlement.

This problem of teachers’ entitlements has never occurred until when the Teaching Service Commission and the Education

Department, in their wisdom, decided to delegate these powers to the provincial education authorities. That’s where it became a nightmare, it’s now history.

This item is also a budgeted item.

The committee, the Parliamentary Education committee which reviewed this issue did not offer any smart solution either.

This matter is now an industrial as well as a legal dispute between teachers and their employer (TSC).

The PNG Teachers Association must now take the bull by the horn and report the matter to Teaching Service Conciliation and Arbitration Tribunal (the right court) to solve this matter once and for all by coming down

with a determination to order the authority to comply fully.

No more negotiation must be entertained between the employer (TSC). PNG Teachers Association must now advise all teachers to resume duty late into the academic year 2015

There are many things that are wrong in the education system in regards to the Teachers Terms and Conditions of Employment. Housing allowance is one overdue entitlement that must be corrected now.

The Government has the capacity to pay. The economy is doing very well.

T. Popeu (MKTTM)

Dental health is inaccessible

Letter of the day

DESPITE what the government preaches about its commitment to health, I doubt it has really implemented its numerous plans or realised its goals.

I am a taxpayer, but do not access health services at the general hospitals, unless the problem is severe.

I treat myself at home for ailments like malaria and pneumonia. However on Friday, January 2, the day after New Year, I needed to get a tooth extracted in Port Moresby. Upon arriving at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s dentistry division at 6.40am, I saw a number of people already there. I was informed earlier that I needed to get to the dentist before 6am for the clinic would only take 20 patients in a day.

I was the fourth person to join the queue almost one-and-a-half hours before opening time.

Some of those who were there had turned up at least once before and were turned away because

they were not among the first 20.

Someone told me then that the fee to extract a tooth there would be about K20.

When a staff arrived at 8am, she informed us that they would take 20 patients only and would treat only emergency cases, and that did not include extractions.

The staff said we could come back on Monday so a lot of us left.

I was in some pain and as I walked away, I noticed that other patients — men, women and children — also left.

I thought about the pain that all those who were turned away would endure over the weekend and felt frustrated that we are fed all the talk about free and improved health services. It seemed that all this has been just mouthwash.

When I left the house on that morning, I had made up my mind that I would have the problem tooth removed on that day. I would not let it disturb me and my work for another 72 hours.

So I went and checked with a private hospital. They told me their dental clinic was closed – it would

Text us on 208

not be open until mid-January.

When I asked for the charge for a tooth extraction, a receptionist told me it was K300.

I went to a second private hospital and was told they could help me but I needed to first pay a K120 consultation fee.

Afterwards I paid K425 for the tooth to be extracted, not concerned about the cost at that moment because I wanted my problem to be taken care of there and then. I spent another K21 for antibiotic tablets and pain killers.

My concern is not so much that I paid K566 to have the tooth extracted. (In fact, I am happy that that private hospital had all the equipment and resources to take care of my problem immediately.)

My concern is how many of the 80 per cent of the Port Moresby population can afford to have their health problems fixed on the spot at the General Hospital and not wait in a queue, or be turned away and told to come another day.

Screen people coming into Bougainville

“TODAY we pledge our love and life we’ll stand by you in every strife, our own home our motherland. Oh Bougainville, my Bougianville, God bless Bougainville.”

These are the words we utter in our provincial anthem that makes us proud. Bougainville has shed tears for its land and has lost its children striving for its right to preserve it from over-exploitation. We have fought for the good of everyone and toiled to come this far together.

Therefore today we see development everywhere in our region. We see changes taking place in our land and gradually the face of Bougainville is swiftly moving

10 years ago

to regain its image like it was before the crisis. Recently we have witnessed the reopening of Aropa Airport. Another milestone in our history, so we are excited.

I wonder if our people realise that we are opening up to the outside world now. And we expect an influx of foreigners and people to the region? Some will come with our knowledge while others without our knowledge? Some will come with good intention while others will come to make money.

Think twice. I have witnessed foreigners and non-Morobeans grabbing land from landowners in Morobe and they have regret-

STOP IT HAGEN!

IT WAS with sorrow that I saw an old man robbed by hooligans at the Hagen Market bus stop and his mobile phone and money stolen.

I had to fork out K10 from my own pocket and give it to the old man because his busfare was stolen. This kind of activity does not do any good for the image of the third city of PNG and this must stop. It is understandable that police in Hagen are cautious about stopping this sort of behaviour in Hagen because of the recent killing of a policeman but it is their job and they must do it. Hagen city must not go to the dogs because it is a place where people from all over this country and world visit, work and live in.

Mamakin Jef Mt Hagen

VUNAPALADING TOP

THESE are remarks of gratitude and commendation from a satisfi ed parent. From my research I believe there are about 50 registered FODE or study centres in PNG. From that, there are around seven or eight in ENB province.

ted giving land away. We welcome development in our land and we must expect problems that accompany changes. Can our authority introduce control measures to screen people entering our region? We don’t want to repeat the mistake our fathers did before. We need to stand on our own to develop our region. We need God for our spiritual development as we watch with triumph when all things will fall will stand in awe when God fulfils our dreams.

Concillia Suibui Silent Arobian Speaker

Several of these FODE centres in ENB have come on air in the local radio station (NBC) outlining what they offer to our disadvantaged students who cannot make it through the formal system in a very convincing manner.

However, there is one study centre that is located in the hinterlands of Inland Baining LLG known as Vunapalading Study Centre that is worth mentioning. Despite its remote settings and a few sago-leaf-thatched classrooms, this unknown study centre has produced magni fi cent results. Since its inception more than fi ve years ago some of its students are in tertiary institutions and many

more have been selected to reenter the formal education system to do Grade 11.

That has really put smiles on the faces and warmth in the hearts of many parents and students alike. I, as a concerned parent, would like to bring to the attention of the Inland Baining LLG president to at least pay a courtesy call on Vunapalading Study Centre because it is exactly 20 metres away from the LLG chamber so that assistance may be provided in whatever way deemed convenient. With that I would like to commend Mr Thomas Naisi for giving a second chance to our children. May God continue to bless you, your teachers, the students, and the study centre. Keep up the good work.

BMOBILE IS CHEAPER

OUR local mobile communication network, bmobile-Vodafone provides far superior and cheaper communication services to all Papua New Guineans. For example if you buy a K10 unit, it can last more than a week. This is more economical to an average Papua New Guinean. Both, normal calls and internet usage bmobile-Vodafone is doing an excellent job. What’s more it has all the apps that one requires. It is providing quality service to the people. Many of my friends are changing to bmobile.

As a result, all Papua New Guineans are urged to support our local network and make it grow even bigger both within PNG and even in the region. Well done bmobile-Vodafone and keep it up with your good and affordable service.

AUSTRALIA was considering sending additional “military assets” to the Solomon Islands following the murder of a young peacekeeper Adam Dunning. Dec 23, 2004

THE economy of the country is strong. There

THE economy of the country is strong. There is sufficient liquidity in the financial sector; the sufficient in the financial the government has funds for commitments we has funds for commitments we have paid all our development funds and bills. have all our funds and bills.

FINANCE MInister James Marape refuting claims by the Opposition that FINANCE MInister James claims the that the Government has run out of money the Government has run out of money.

Wemiane Mari, Kokopo, ENBP

Masen Iningi via email

PNG Tauna

Youths off to attend Pathfinder camporee

THE SDA South Pacific division has organised a camporee in Woolongon, Brisbane, Australia, for pathfinder children.

The camporee comes every eight years and children who attend have the opportunity to meet other pathfinders from the other South Pacific countries.

This year more than 8000 young people and their leaders from throughout the South Pacific, NZ and Australia are set to attend the meeting.

A 24 member pathfinder team from Mosa in Kimbe ENB who have been waiting in Port Moresby since January 1 finally flew out yesterday afternoon.

This will be first trip for most of them. Leaving behind parents and travelling alone will be an experience for this children youngsters.

Since they arrived in Port Moresby they were housed at MP Francis Marus’ home for a number of days. “It was wonderful to spend time with the children and this trip is a Godly trip. I didn’t go to my province but I wanted to make sure I saw them off with their boarding passes” Mr Marus said.

During the short stay, the children were given a small tour around Port Moresby and surrounding areas.

Most of the other pathfinder from Oro, Kimbe and NCD also travelled out yesterday.

Mr Marus said he was happy to help the children in their spiritual lives.

Lack of infrastructure haunts pioneer school

BY GRACE TIDEN

GEORGE Brown High School

in the Gazelle District of East New Britain Province will not be elevated to secondary level this year following a decision by the ENB Provincial Education Board.

This is due to the lack of proper infrastructure at the school.

This United Church-run school, named after Methodist Minister Dr George Brown, is one of the oldest in the province. However, it continues to face problems especially with its run down facilities.

Last year, the school faced problems with overcrowding due to an increase in enrollment following the introduction of the National Gov-

Jiwaka leader laid to rest

BY JOHNNY POIYA

JIWAKA Province lost one of its leaders on January 1, when he died of a heart attack.

At a glance

SCHOOL: George Brown High School in ENB will remain a high school this year following a decision by the Provincial Education Board.

LACK: The decision comes after the school has been found to lack the appropriate facilities to accommodate its elevation to secondary status.

RUN: The School is a United Church-run school and relies on the United Church for the majority of its funding.

FUNDRAISING: Several attempts last year to raise the necessary funds for infrastructure development fell short of the expected amount leaving the school in a dire situation.

CALL: A call is now being made for the United Church and the national and provincial government to step in and provide assistance.

ernment’s Tuition Fee Free policy.

Further plans to except grade 11 students this year will not eventuate because the school

needs proper infrastructure such as a computer laboratory, two double classrooms, two more dormitories and the maintenance and extension of

the existing chapel and mess. School headmaster Mark Todol said despite fundraising activities that were held last year, the funds they raised were still not enough to improve facilities at the school. And despite appeals to United Church community in the province as well as the Government to assist the school, nothing has been forthcoming.

In regards to their fundraising activities, Mr Todol said the returns they were getting from all the fundraising activities conducted by the school were not what they had expected.

Also, out of the invitations that were sent out to United Church community in the province, only two to three

congregations responded to their fundraising invitations.

Mr Todol said the school will continue to cry out for assistance to improve its facilities.

Meanwhile, United Church Bishop Nathaniel Pairuia said there was a need for more facilities to be put in place before the school can be elevated to secondary status.

He said funding was not a problem and that the only holdup was that there was no infrastructural plan in place for the school.

He said once they have the plan, it will have to go through the Provincial Education Board before the plan is implemented.

Bishop Pairuia said they will soon have the plan in place this year.

Mr Peter Wulup, from the Komunka tribe of Wara Klap near Wahgi Bridge in Minj, was a runner-up in the past four elections in the North Wahgi electorate.

Governor William Tongamp said at the funeral service yesterday that Mr Wulup was a people-oriented leader and a pillar for Jiwaka.

Mr Tongamp said it would take a long time for somebody of Mr Wulup’s calibre to come.

The governor and his staff and tribesmen gave K10,000 and three pigs to the mourning relatives. During elections, many political parties competed to sponsor Mr Wulup because of his popularity. His relatives thanked the governor for attending the funeral and vowed to be part of his team in developing the new province. Mr Wulup is survived by three wives and 30 children.

MR Francis Marus farewells Mosa SDA pathfinders from West New Britain.

Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

WORKMEN AHEAD

Angau blood bank filling up

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

THE Angau Memorial Hospital blood transfusion service drive to get blood from business houses in Lae has been commended by Angau acting chief executive Dr Jim Abrahams.

He said blood flowed in from three locations, the highest of 87 bags was recorded by Bulolo, followed by Hornibrooks Limited with 31 bags and Seeto Kui Group of Companies also gave in 31 bags.

Dr Abrahams said the effort of the blood transfusion service, spearheaded by sister in charge Mary Hungito, had been noted and appreciated.

He had advised Mrs Hungito and her unit to make requisitions for microcurvette eskys and accessible communication, preferably the use of a closed user group (CUG) phone, to continue the blood collection drive in the coming weeks. SP Brewery and Prima Small Goods have said they would give blood but had not confirmed dates while BSP and Lae Biscuit Company had indicated interest.

In October last year, Mrs Hungito had made the distress call that Angau needed between 200 and 300 bags of blood each day, adding that people could not be forced to donate blood.

Husband stabs wife to death on New Year’s day

BY ROMULUS MASIU

A DOMESTIC argument led to the death of a woman on January 1, Central Bougainville police reported yesterday.

The death happened in the evening at Section 11 in Arawa, police said.

The husband was under the influence of alcohol when he had an argument with his wife which turned into a fight.

Police said the wife was stabbed three times on the left arm, on the head and on the right chest.

She was rushed to Arawa Hospital but succumbed to her injuries due to the heavy loss of blood.

Police arrested the husband, questioned him then charged him with willful murder. He is in police custody awaiting court appearance.

This was the only serious crime reported in Central Bougainville during the festive season.

Central Bougainville police

At a glance

ISSUE: A domestic argument led to the death of the wife on January 1, Central Bougainville police reported.

CHARGE: Police arrested the husband, questioned him then charged him with willful murder. He is in police custody awaiting court appearance.

CAUSE: The husband was under the influence of alcohol when he had an argument with his wife which turned into a fight.

PLACE: The death happening in the evening at section 11 at Arawa.

ADVICE: You do not have to come to the police station to help the police but you can make a difference by telling your friends and clansmen about what is right and wrong. By doing that you can always save a life

Chief Inspector Januarius Vosivai is appealing for cooperation from the general public, especially those who drink, and bottle shop owners to observe liquor laws and comply accordingly.

“This killing would not have occurred if this person was not drunk and if the bottle shop that had served him had observed the liquor restriction notices that we have issued,” Insp Vosivai said.

“We have been talking and talking but some people just do

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not want to listen.”

But he commended the people of Central Bougainville for helping to keep the region generally peaceful during the festive season.

“This is our community and we have to work together to keep it peaceful. You do not have to come to the police station to help the police but you can make a difference by telling your friends and clansmen about what is right and wrong. By doing that you can always save a life,” Insp Vosivai said.

You can also visit our website www.bsp.com.pg/Personal/Retail-Banking/Loans for information.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from BSP.

LOCAL work men policing up on the road works by sweeping away the loose gravels on the side of the road gutter at Two Mile hill in Port Moresby.

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

Gwadu Band celebrates New Year

BY JOE IVAHARIA

THE famous Gwadu Band, one of the country’s oldest surviving bands from Hanuabada village, celebrated a belated Christmas and New Year with a party last Sunday at the residence of band leader Billy Aisi at Rosewood Street, Hohola in Port Moresby.

Families of the band members both present and past were invited along together with friends and supporters of the band to celebrate with them.

Food and drinks were shared among everyone present at the party with gifts also given out to the spouses and children of the members.

The band has been busy over the last few months leading up to the festive period with engagements playing for various organisations and business houses, thus the delayed party.

Parkop thanks city police with K20,000 cheque

BY BENJAMIN KUMAN

NATIONAL Capital District

Governor Powes Parkop has presented a cheque of K20,000 to NCD police as a token of appreciation for maintaining peace and order in the city over the Christmas and New year periods.

The cheque was presented to NCD Metropolitan

Superintendent Andy Bawa in a brief ceremony at the Boroko police station in Port Moresby yesterday.

Mr Parkop thanked the city police on behalf of the city residents for ensuring

a peaceful and trouble free festive season.

“Police in the city now is different from what we used to have before, these men and women are loyal, dedicated and committed to their job and so what you have just observed is a fruit of their good work,” Mr Pakop said.

“Policing a metropolitan city like Port Moresby is a very tough task but I thank our police for a job well done in successfully policing the city and I’m proud to learn that no major trouble was encountered during the recent festive season.”

The Governor also commended city residents for cooperating with the police and assisting them to allow for calm and normalcy to prevail during the season.

Mr Parkop also used the opportunity to thank reformed youths from the Moresby North East electorate for helping out in the special operation.

Mr Bawa thanked the Governor for recognising NCD police for their effort in ensuring a safe and peaceful festive season and assured him that the police will always support him in delivering his plans and

visions. “This Christmas and New Year was different from others and I thank my men and women and city residents alike for working hand in hand and obtaining a positive outcome,” Mr Bawa said.

“Crime rates in the city has gone down dramatically and I take this opportunity to thank the NCDC Liquor Licensing Commission for making a bold decision to ban and restrict liquor during the festive season because liquor has been the major contributing factor for trouble during festive seasons over the year.”

Mr Bawa said police are getting very good feedback from women and children in the city who are saying they have had quiet nights since Christmas when the liquor ban came into effect and he said they are requesting for the ban to be effected throughout the year. Meanwhile, Mr Bawa said the city police are prepared for the Pacific Games and he urged everyone living in the city to work together with them to give the visiting countries a good reflection of this beautiful country so our visitors can return with a good impression of PNG.

A minutes silence was also offered in remembrance of founding band members who had passed on, namely the late Peter Aisi, late Jack Vaieke Vare, late Pidi Indigo Egahu, late Vare ‘Wangia’ Kevere and late Wainetti Anton, to name a few.

Notable supporters in attendance were former chief magistrate John Numapo and spouse, who are now based in Honiara, Solomon Islands and city manager Leslie Alu.

President of the NCD Council of Women Maria Andrew and few of her council members were also among the supporters present to celebrate the occasion.

According to band leader Billy Aisi, the Gwadu Band will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in October this year.

The 50th anniversary is expected to be a big one and they were looking forward to making it a memorable one. The band was one of the most popular live acts of years gone by.

Tenants call for investigation on illegal sale of houses

BY MEROLYN TEN

CITY tenants are calling on the national fraud and anti-corruption squad to do a proper investigation regarding evictions done by the National Housing Corporation and its business arm, the National Housing Estate Limited.

Miri Setae, a tenant and spokesman, said most of

the tenants living in NHC houses are legal tenants, which means they have formalised everything through the State Solicitor, office of the Urbanisation and the National Housing Corporation, with legal documents and payments to reside in those NHC houses.

“Yet, few officers in the National Housing Corpora-

tion are making underground deals and selling out properties without letting the legal tenants know,” Mr Miri claimed. He said the call for investigation was made after finding out that his house was purchased by an unidentified buyer on December 16 last year, after he made his last payment five days before.

Mr Setae said the signature on his receipt was similar to what it was on the buyer’s receipt, a clear sign of a corrupt or fraudulent act.

“I reside at Boroko residence section 24, allotments 16 for a very long time and I am a legal tenant to the house so whoever is involved in this fraud or corrupt activities must be investigated and dealt with

accordingly,” he said.

Mr Setae said a few people residing in the same area have become the victims of the same issue and are also fighting the same matter.

“I am calling on the nNational fraud and anticorruption squad to please investigate that matter as houses now a days are very expensive to afford and also it is a basic need,” he said.

I am calling on the National Fraud and Anti- Corruption squad to investigate the matter ...

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa receiving the cheque of K20,000 from the Governor Powes Parkop as Janet Sape looks on.

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Duma gives K1m to local group

BY ANNA OMBA

THE PANAEL Community Development Association of the Hagen Central area in Western Highlands Province will get K1 million from Hagen MP and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure William Dum, through the District Services Improvement Project fund.

Mr Duma presented the first K400,000 cheque to the association and said the balance of K600,000 will be presented to them on Thursday on his final meeting with them.

He said the services he provides are for everyone in his electorate and he advised the committee to use the money

wisely by providing services that the people need.

“I am for everyone and I do things for everyone to benefit and not for wantoks. I believe in equality and prosperity for every individual in my district, province and country,” Mr Duma said.

“I provide basic services using people’s money because I believe in service and I know that this services I provide will bring prosperity and will bring the country forward.

“I trust the committee in the association and give this money so I ask that they work together and give service back to our people.”

He urged the people to use the funds to engage in profit making activities. from their MP and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, William Duma, at Wipmul village yesterday.

Bishop celebrates with parish

BY ANNA OMBA

KURUK Catholic Parish in Mul Baiyer Lumusa district of Western Highlands Province celebrated their first thanksgiving Sunday of 2015 with their Archbishop Douglas Young.

It is a tradition that every family has to collect food from their garden and livestock or money, to offer in favour of the New Year’s blessing. On Sunday, the Kuruk parish distributed food within the archdiocese towards hospitals and care centres within the province.

It was also the first time for the people of Kuruk parish to witness the handover-takeover of their parish priests.

“We thank the archbishop to be here with us to celebrate the Holy Mass, we are so happy and blessed today,” said Andrew Collin, a community representative and church leader.

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DAILY CHORES

New

MP hails public servants for delivering services School explains extra fees

BY DENYSE KALAU

PUBLIC Servants in Telefomin District have been commended by their MP Solan Mirisim for their hard work and commitment in delivering services to the people of the district.

At a dinner hosted by the district officials to unite and commend the public servants, Mr Mirisim took the opportunity to thank the public servants, particularly the teachers, police officers, health workers, bank clerks and the officers from the district for their efforts in ensuring that

DISTRICT: The Telefomin district is in West Sepik Province.

SOLAN MIRISIM: He is the Member for Telefomin district. WORD OF THANKS: The MP thanked the teachers, police officers, health workers, bank clerks and the administration officers for their efforts in ensuring the delivery of vital services to improve the lives of the people.

ISOLATED: Telefomin’s geographical setting makes it very difficult to deliver services.

vital services are delivered to improve the lives of the people.

“Telefomin District is one of the least developed districts in the country because of its remoteness and geo-

graphical setting, which hinders service delivery.

“Over the years the district has missed out on much needed services because leaders have not been working closely with the public

servants to provide services that will benefit the people,” Mr Mirisim said.

“This will soon change and services will eventually reach the people, once new public servants from other parts of the country are flown into the district to assist the existing public servants with their work.”

Mr Mirisim said the past two years have been very challenging for the district, but the district has managed to achieve a lot of good things.

Some of the things that the district has achieved with the cooperation from

the public servants include the opening of the new police station, opening of BSP bank, upgrading of teachers houses and classrooms, the change in status of Telefomin High school to Telefomin Secondary School, the hospital and the biggest project of all is the road project from Telefomin to Tabubil that will connect Western to Sandaun Province.

“All these projects would not have been achieved without the cooperation, determination and commitment of the public servants in the district,” he said.

Association seeks govt help to run programs

BY LISA HEBEI

THE Eastern Highlands Welfare Association (EHWA) located in the heart of Boundry Road is calling on the Government to assist it with funds to run its administration this year.

The association was established in 2002 and wasrecognised by the then Minister Barth Philemon and Governor Luther Wenge.

Since its focus was in line with the government, a grant was approved for its establishment.

During its establishment, a kindergarten, elementary school and a youth and mothers program were established to help the community.

The association was set up within Boundary Road because the area had a population of over 3000 Eastern

Post-Courier, Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Highlanders, said cChairman Roy Miringke.

Besides helping the community, the association’s focus was on helping Eastern Highlanders within Morobe Province.

They had sought the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government’s assistance but were denied by the administration some years back.

They are now appealing

to the Morobe Provincial Government, especially under the Lae Urban ward scheme, to look at bringing services to ward one, where they are located.

Apart from Eastern Highlanders, the school helps the community as well regardless of where they come from.

So far, funds released by the provincial government was used in building

classroom facilities for the kindergarten, elementary school and building facilities for the youths and mothers programs.

But Mr Miringke said the school has not received funding for the running of the administration yet.

He appealed to the government to release funds to assist the running of the administration before the school starts.

PARENTS of students attending Busu Secondary School in Lae are complaining that they have to pay an additional K100 receiving their children’s certificates. But a school teacher explained that the fee is part of the students’ clearance fee before they can continue in the new academic year.

The teacher, Ms Kemdring, said the K100 fee was discussed in a school meeting in term three of last year and the parents had agreed to pay another K100 to help the school with its ongoing and upcoming projects.

“We are not charging parents extra money, we would like them to understand that this is not part of the school fee payment,” she said.

“However, this is a project fee and it is for all the students from grades 9 to 12.”

Mrs Kemdring said those parents who did not turn up for the meeting were not aware of the agreement that was passed in the last meeting therefore they are now complaining about the fee and would like to clarify that this fee is compulsory for all students.

Busu is one of three secondary schools within Lae city precincts.

CHRISTMAS and

Year can be a holiday period for some but for these kids travelling from Lae to their Mengeong village at Suquang in Finschhafen, its life as usual, helping out their bubus and mothers at home. Pictured from left is Theo, Monalisa, Elizaberth, Ramael and Yanina with their cousins returning home from the garden with bundles of firewood for cooking.

POLICE UPROOT 15 MARIJUANA PLANTS

Investor keen on growth of oil palm in Pomio

BY MEROLYN TEN

THE Rimbunan Hijau Group of companies has selected agriculture as its latest key strategic investment, currently being developed in Pomio, East New Britain Province. The project is a major palm oil and integrated rural development project representing an commitment investment by RH of k1 billion for its establishment and management.

“The Sigite Mukus integrated rural development palm oil project’s benefits for the local community are already apparent, with land preparation and planting currently providing over three thousand jobs,” said Axel Wilhelm, the corporate policy manager for Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group.

Mr Wilhelm said the palm oil processing facilities construction is currently underway, so are land preparations and planting. He said the palm oil project will cover a land mass of 42, 000 hectares, with 32, 000 hectares operable for oil palm production which as a result, the plantation will have its oil palm fresh fruit bunches processing at joint capacity of two palm oil processing facilities at 180

New Ireland’s quest for autonomy

NEW Irelanders throughout the country and overseas are asking the government on when autonomy is going to be granted to the province, says the New Ireland provincial autonomy committee (NIPAC)

The committee said in a statement that the quest for autonomy has been in limbo since the provincial government formally submitted to the National Executive Council (NEC) on February 23, 2013 two important constitution bills for the national Government to enact laws in parliament to grant autonomy to the province.

“It is now been two years since the submission was last made and NEC is yet to respond or deliberate on the submission, despite promises by the prime minister and his deputy that it would do so in 2014,” NIPAC said.

“Unfortunately the year has lapsed and we are now into 2015 with no clear indication from the national government on the province’s request for autono-

mous status. The national Government’s decision to remain silent on the issue has raised a lot of questions on the minds of New Irelanders on why the government is refusing to hear the people of New Ireland in the quest for autonomy.

“Unlike the Bougainville model, the New Ireland autonomy does not seek to ‘break away from Papua New Guinea ‘but seeks the jurisdictional competency to make laws to empower the province to look after itself in the running of its own internal affairs.

“Given the refusal by the government, the NIPAC is preparing a submission to the provincial executive council to seek endorsement and approval for NIPG in 2015 to seek the following from the national government; New Ireland to be granted the same autonomy as Bougainville and

to seek from the national Government through an MOU the transfer of the functions and powers.”

tons per hour. “The first palm oil processing facility is expected to be commissioned in April, 2016 and once the project is at full scale, it will contribute an estimated K33 million annually to the economy of ENBP,” Mr Wilhelm said.

He added that the Rimbunan Hijau Group has also been tracking indicators in the areas of environmental management, economic contribution, health and sanitation, labour relations, community benefits, and community liaison and disputes settlement.

“The indicators are tracked on a regular basis.

“The sustainability strategy will guide our business operations and reflect our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our people, to the development of local communities, to generating wealth for the government and improved welfare for the people PNG to implementing and supporting public health initiatives, and to reducing environmental impacts,” he said.

Mr Wilhelm said the development of the 18-storey Raintree Hotel and suites as well as office facilities in the nation’s capital is progressing well and the hotel is expected to be fully completed in early 2016.

NIPG

MARIJUANA cultivation normally occurs in the remote communities of East New Britain Province. Police in the province act on information or tip offs and usually conduct raids to uproot marijuana plants and arrest suspects involved in these illegal activities. This week, the Kokopo Police response unit uprooted 15 marijuana plants in a taro and yam garden at Wain settlement at the border of Vunabaur and Loong Plantation in the Bitapaka area of Kokopo following a tip off. The suspect escaped before police could arrest him. Police usually make drug-related arrests every week. Pictured is an officer uprooting a marijuana plant at Wain settlement. Words and Picture: GRACE TIDEN

B’ville education board set to operate

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

FOR the first time in history, the new Bougainville Education Board (BEB) elected in December last year will operate under the new Bougainville Education Act.

The act will be implemented by the newly-elected board comprising of members from South, Central and North Bougainville and is made up of community leaders, churches, women’s federation, PNG Teachers Association and other members appointed by the Bougainville education minister.

Anthony Tsora, former assistant secretary of the education department and now the BEB chairman, said the new board will need to refocus on standards and monitoring as for the last seven to eight years, the standard of performance in schools throughout the region has gone down and has not improved.

He said two core subjects that need attention are mathematics and science, which students have really dropped in.

“We have made a decision to have a committee to look at standards and monitoring made up of members of the board to put into perspective strategies to improve standards in Bougainville,” said Mr Tsora.

He said the education department needs to refo-

cus on education standards and not on administration issues as in the past by looking basically on money and funding for schools.

“The department has wrongly been focusing their attention on restriction of school funds which is the duty of the school boards of management, boards of governors and governing councils to handle for the development purpose of schools and students as grade eight and 10 results will reveal that the focus has been wrong,” Mr Tsora said.

“I am confident, the new board will set it’s focus on standards to see that we improve academically.”

He said elementary teachers will now be screened as many of them have not been contributing effectively to child education thus making them not educated enough when they go into primary school which eventually leads to them dropping out in Grade eight.

He said the board will also give more attention at improving technical vocational education training (TVET) to look after students who finish from grade eight and 10.

Mr Tsora said with the education reform from outcome based education to standard based education and the outcome based curriculum to standard based curriculum, it is a bit confusing but we have to go along with the changes in the country.

Biroi village hosts Zion worship congress

BY ISHMAEL PALIPAL

Biroi village in the Bana District of South Bougainville hosted a Zion worship congress attended by people throughout the region and some others from East New Britain and Madang.

The congress was to prepare and take note what of God is saying about 2015 through his Son so that people can move and act according to God’s will.

The congress occurred over the first weekend of the new year, attracting

people from throughout the region and other provinces.

Speaking at the congress, Pastor Steven Joash of Biroi church praised God for providing resources and bringing joy to the lives of

the people in the village.

That is through using them on things that bring goodness in societies.

“God is the source and the Creator of all things so who are we to misuse his gifts to us,” he said, adding that we must use these resources like land, talents, gifts, money etc for good purpose.

“God must be acknowledged in everything. Education, business or politics or even the air we breathe every day and stay alive.

“We are so lucky that

many of essential things in life are free gift from God. What can we do if we are charged to pay every breath that we take?

“Therefore, in everything we must acknowledge God.”

He quote what God said to the Israelites that in everything you get, a tenth must put aside for him.

Hence the pastor urged the people to use God given resources on things that will bring glory to him for many times we take things for granted and use them to promote other evil things.

Nuguria health centre opens Unroadworthy cars up in Buka

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

THE Nuguria group of islands situated North of Buka and the furthest of all the atoll isles of Bougainville, opened its new health centre on December 18.

The new building contains rooms for outpatients, treatment, admittance, dispensary and maternity room that is also equipped with a new bed for baby delivery solar power equipments.

Sister in charge Alice

Wamba said the building and equipment have been funded by PNG Sustainable Development at a cost of K75,000.

She said the old health centre building is run down but was still operational and serves the island’s population of 500.

Sr Wamba said of the cases they treat, most are cough, migraines and when it is the wet season the place is infested with mosquitoes and then they have cases

of malaria. She said other cases they can’t deal with are referred to Buka and patients travel on motorised boats that takes them up to eight hours on a 60 horse powered boat.

“We now need two staff houses as this year we will be having another new nurse coming in to help me as I am the only one here and I have been living in my own house for the past seven years since taking up the post here,” she said.

BY VERONICA HANNETTE

CONCERNS have been raised by the general public that the traffic officers are not doing enough to monitor and book unroadworthy vehicles being driven around Buka. There are vehicles that do not have plate numbers, have lighting problems while others are on the road without registrations. North Bougainville police commander Spencer Aili

said traffic officers can perform their duties but there is no support from the Royal PNG Police Constabulary and the Autonomous Bougainville Government on resources and logistics to carry out traffic duties.

“We do not have traffic officers and also the vehicle that the traffic section uses is also under serviced, making it hard for officers to conduct their duties,” said Mr Aili.

He said since the traffic

unit has been a bit slack on its duties due to logistics and manpower problems, people are taking things for granted by breaking traffic rules and overloading passengers and also drink driving in and around town.

“We are doing our best to make sure traffic rules are followed but it is everyone’s business to take precautions when travelling on public and private vehicles around town and on the highway as well,” Mr Aili said.

PEOPLE listening as the man of God preaches the word of God in a church building at Biroi in the Bana District of South Bougainville.

God must be acknowledged in everything.

PASTOR STEVEN JOASH Bougainville

State entity secures Oil Search shares

THE National Petroleum Company of PNG (NPCP) has concluded a series of transactions totaling USD 1.342 billion (K3.539b).

The transactions were concluded prior to the end of 2014 and have enabled the Company to receive the States interest of 149,390,244 Oil Search shares, equivalent to 9.81per cent as purchased in March 2014. This will allow it to repay the existing bridge facility to UBS, as well as to fund existing working capital requirements, stemming from its existing licenses.

In order to facilitate these transactions, NPCP Group arranged new financing of circa USD 520 million (K13846m) through a syndicate of Banks comprised of ANZ, Bank South Pacific and Westpac, in addition to separate UBS funding in relation to the Oil Search Shares.

NPCP managing director Wapu Sonk, said the entity was able to complete the transaction on the back of its growing Balance Sheet

At a glance

TRANSACTIONS: In order to facilitate these transactions, NPCP Group arranged new financing of circa USD 520 million through a syndicate of Banks comprised of ANZ, Bank South Pacific and Westpac, in addition to separate UBS funding in relation to the Oil Search Shares. These series of transactions amount to USD 1.342 billion.

post early exports of Condensate and LNG in 2014.

“LNG Exports were expected to start in November 2014, however, early project completion and exports had enabled NPCP to be in this position of strength at this time”.

Mr Sonk while thanking the Banks for their confidence said: “The receipt of the Oil Search shares would increase the exposure of the Company to the PNGLNG Project

and all the Oil and Gas fields operated by Oil Search, with more than 95 per cent of Oil Search’s Oil and Gas Assets being located in PNG. “This transaction fits within our overall strategic objective of NPCP having increased participation in all oil and gas business in PNG,” he said.

NPCP general manager Finance Robert Acevski noted the complexity of the transactions given the various interests in the deal and

Market Snapshot

the different financial tools and transactions underpinning it.

“The competing interests required considerable negotiation to reach acceptable commercial outcomes. This is an important series of transactions for NPCP as it emerges to become operational as the PNG National Oil Company, and it follows the recently announced acquisition of the Cue Energy PNG assets,” he said.

NPCP chairman of the Board of Directors Frank Kramer in commenting, acknowledged the outstanding effort of Mr Sonk and his team.

“This transaction, consistent with NPCP’s Strategic Development Plans, is an example of the Group’s move from passive participation to active investment in the hydrocarbon sector and leveraging our resources to create value from the opportunities that present themselves to us so that we can produce sustainable wealth for our people and our nation.”

Botten: Collaboration key to development

PUBLIC-private partnership (PPP) cooperation and collaboration between the government and the private sector is crucial for Papua New Guinea’s development.

This is from Oil Search managing director Peter Botten and during the PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment conference in Sydney, Australia last year.

Mr Botten urged his industry peers to work more closely with the Papua New Guinea Government to help deliver core services, including the construction of vital infrastructure which will assist delivery of future resource sector projects.

“Paying taxes is not enough, we as an industry must play a part in the development of national infrastructure such as reliable power supplies, roads, bridges, schools

The bottom line

and hospitals, helping government deliver services to PNG society.

“We should all be using our skills and experience to support the Government’s delivery of services that will raise living standards in PNG,” he said.

Mr Botten said the capacity of national and provincial governments to deliver core services is currently challenged, adding that this is where industry and the private sector can step in and partner with the Government to deliver vital services.

“The development of infrastructure opens up opportunities for business development and improvement in access to markets for agriculture, thereby hugely broadening the business base of the country,’’ Mr Botten said.

He told the conference that the petroleum industry in PNG has been a huge contributor to the social and economic development of the country, with significant investments that have helped drive a 93 per cent increase in GDP, from US$7.9 billion in (K20.95b) 2010 to US$15.3 billion (K40.58b) in 2013.

The PNG LNG Project has also been instrumental in developing PNG workforce skills and capacity, providing a huge talent base for future developments in PNG.

Oil Search has played a major part in this investment, spending more than K5.152 billion in the five years ending 2013 and K1.2 billion in PNG in 2013 alone.

“The PNG LNG Project has had a tremendous impact on PNG and we believe that there is the oppor-

tunity to build at least two, probably three more LNG trains over the next five to seven years, which would more than double LNG exports again.

“This will place greater strain on infrastructure as more skilled workers will be required to fulfil contracts, while transportation and services companies will also be stretched to capacity.

“PNG is now at the crossroads of huge opportunity and major challenges. For PNG to reach its potential, the resources industry must play its part.

“This means unprecedented cooperation between industry and Government is required, to ensure we are all well-positioned to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead,” Mr Botten said.

Coca-Cola spends more money on advertising than Microsoft and Apple combined.

Oil Search is proud to be partnering with the Papua New Guinea Government to deliver key infrastructure, such as government buildings, roads, bridges, schools and sports facilities. Together, we’re building a brighter future.

Better than expected trade data boost $A

NPCP MD Wapu Sonk

Crime pushing tourists away

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

OVERSEAS visitor numbers to the country’s industrial hub of Lae has declined drastically due to increased law and order problems.

Long time Lae resident and businessman Sir Bob Sinclair said safety and security to be the biggest concern among visitors.

“We’ve seen in the media, cases where tourists come into the province and have either got robbed or killed.

“How do you expect international visitors to come over to Lae when such things happen to potential clients of the tourism industry?” Sir Sinclair asked.

He explained that it is not thousands, rather a little over 100 foreign visitors that come into the province, and unlawful conduct of people in the city is a factor that has pushed visitors away.

“Tourism is an industry that people want to come and enjoy activities and visit attractive sites for their holidays.

“So far very little of this has been experienced in Lae and it is quite disappointing to see that.

“People really need to change the way they view tourists and try to be more friendlier to them as this is an area that not only brings revenue into our economy, but it also promote the province as a tourist destination,” he added.

Sir Bob said despite numerous hotels and guest house facilities being erected in and around Lae city, not many visitors have been visiting the city to make use of them.

He said 20 years ago, the city had a vibrant industry where hotels had 10 per cent in their

Total says Eldfisk II project to boost oil production

FRENCH Energy Giant Total has announced the start-up of oil production from the Eldfisk II project on the PL 018 license of the Norwegian North Sea.

The company in a statement said this to be in line with the initial schedule approved in 2011. The project it states will further increase oil recovery of the Eldfisk field and has a production capacity of 70,000 barrels of oil per day equivalent to 100 per cent.

At a glance

TOURISM: The number of tourists to Lae city have drastically declined in recent times due to the increase in law and order problems. According to long time resident and businessman Sir Bob Sinclair, unlawful conduct of locals in the city has now become a deterrent for foreign visitors who fear for their safety.

clientele but this has gone down to only one per cent in recent years.

He made reference to the Lae Golf Course as one area where tourists often attend but this hasn’t been the case lately.

“It would cost about K250 for a person to use the golf facilities in Singapore and this is quite the opposite compared to Lae, where one would only spend a little over K20 to use the facilities.

“So there is potential but locals around the city need to change their behaviour and this will attract visitors into the province,” he said.

Meanwhile Sir Bob is appealing to the local people residing in and around the city to change their mindsets if they want to see greater development and outside visitors entering the province.

Lae is the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is located at the start of the Highlands Highway, which is the main land transport corridor from the Highlands region to the coast and near the delta of the Markham River. It is the largest cargo port of the country and is the industrial city for Papua New Guinea.

PEANUT BUSINESS

Total’s senior vice president Exploration & Production, Europe and Central Asia Michael Borrell said “Eldfisk came on stream in 1979 and the field still has significant reserves. The Eldfisk II project should extend the lifespan of Eldfisk for some 40 further years.”

“Following the start-up of Ekofisk South end of 2013, the start-up of Eldfisk II demonstrates once again the potential for value creation in mature fields such as the Greater Ekofisk Area” Mr Borrell added.

Located approximately 300 kilometers off the Norwegian coast, the Eldfisk II project consists of a new platform, a substantial upgrade of the existing Eldfisk facilities and the drilling of 40 new production and injection wells. The PL 018 partners are Total (39.9 per cent), ConocoPhillips (35.1 per cent operator), Eni (12.4 per cent), Statoil (7.6 per cent) and Petoro (5.0 per cent).

Galip nut market still faces challenges

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

OVER K500,000 has been spent in conducting a market research on galip nut products but there are challenges the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) says.

NARI Galip Project scientist Theo Nevenimo told the Post-Courier one of the main challenges that the institute to be facing in its efforts to market this product is the fact that there is no regulatory body for galip nut in place.

Mr Nevenimo said this is to inspect the quality of the products that will be produced and to facilitate the industry

itself. He added that there is also the challenge of creating more awareness and promotion on the various products produced from galip nuts.

“Because people in the country are used to eating the nut raw, much more awareness is needed to show consumers that the products are healthy, and to enable them to slowly get used it.

“Another challenge is that, because galip nut is a seasonal crop, we have difficulty with production coming in from East New Britain Province and parts of Madang, and we are trying to strategise a way to deal with this.

Mr Nevenimo said potential markets have already been established in many Melanesian countries but they are yet to establish markets in Australia and New Zealand. He further stated that having to do this is quite a challenge because these countries are only interested in certain products and not the entire thing. “There is interest for only one or two galip products and not everything from consumers in Australia and New Zealand.

“New Zealand is only interested in the galip nut oil whilst Australia is reluctant because they fear that it will

be a threat to their macadamia industry,” Mr Nevenimo added.

Despite these challenges, the future looks quite promising for the industry to become one of the revenue making areas for the country.

Markets are currently being sought in other parts of the world and further researches on the product market are yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, NARI is seeking support from various business houses to assist in promoting the products, as it believes that the nut has the potential of being a major cash crop in the country.

BPNG no longer accepting paper banknotes

THE Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) will no longer accept any more paper banknotes in exchange for polymer (plastic) banknotes.

BPNG had previously advised the public that all paper banknotes (K2.00, K5.00, K20.00, K50.00 and K100.00) that were in circulation were going to be withdrawn by the bank in accordance with Section 62 of the Central Banking Act of 2002.

The paper banknotes had ceased to be legal tender in

The bottom line

the country since 2012 where BPNG had advised the public to bring any paper banknotes to them to be exchanged for polymer or plastic banknotes.

Despite the withdrawal of paper banknotes in 2012, the Bank of Papua New Guinea allowed members of the public who were still holding onto the paper notes to return them only to them and not other commercial banks during 2013 to 2014.

However it had in a statement it issued yesterday stat-

ed that, the deadline for the exchange for paper banknotes for polymer ones was in December 31st of last year.

“BPNG is aware that there are still some unused paper banknotes in the hands of the public but they will no longer be accepted in exchange for polymer bank notes.

“All queries regarding the paper banknotes should be addressed to Mr David Lakatani on telephone number 3227343 or email dlakatani@bankpng. gov.pg,” the statement read.

There are 28 million small businesses just in the U.S. alone! They

GEBRILLA John from Western Highlands Province resides at Konedobu in Port Moresby. She is shelling peanuts which she will pack into plastic bags and sell for K1 a packet. Picture: KENNEDY BANI

BPNG is aware that there are still some unused paper bank notes in the hands of the public but they will no longer be accepted ...

BANK OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA Port Moresby

IN LOVING MEMORY

death do us apart Memories live on

BY MARILYN PAUL

LATE BRIG.GEN.RETIRED KENNETH KORA NOGA

DMS, OBE, CBE

10th /07/1945 – 04th /01/2014

BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, FATHER-IN-LAW, BROTHER, BROTHER-IN-LAW, AND UNCLE.

THOSE WE LOVE DON’T GO AWAY

THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERYDAY

UNSEEN, UNHEARD BUT ALWAYS NEAR.

STILL LOVED, STILL MISSED AND VERY DEAR.

WE THE FAMILY OF LATE RETIRED BRIDG.GENERAL KEN NOGA WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, FORMER COLLEGUES AND ASSOCIATES OF LATE GENERAL OF YOUR CONDOLENCES AND COMFORTING MESSAGES DURING OUR TIME OF GRIEF. TO YOU ALL WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT IN EVERYHING YOU DID AND PROVIDED TILL WE LAID HIM TO REST. WE SAY THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU ALL FROM KEN NOGA FAMILY

REST IN PEACE

GA TUGAMAGI VANAGI VANAGI MUNI ASI TUGAREKWA

DEATH NOTICE

THIS week marks the first anniversary of Late Brigdier General retired Kenneth Kora Noga, a man described by his former colleagues as a true and humble friend and a real gentleman by his wife Margaret.

Late Brigdier Noga was one of the first to join the Papua New Guinea Defense Force and to witness the forces early stages to where it is today.For the Noga family this year not only marks the loss of their father and husband but also reminds them of the pain of losing a sister and daughter as well.

Though a year has passed and people have moved on with life for Margaret Noga the pain is fresh like yesterday.

Margaret Noga not only lost her husband but her second daughter

Lorraine Noga who passed away on June 2013, approximately seven months before her husband on January 4, 2014.

Having lost two loved ones in short period of time in between is something painful and hard to grasp. It’s like a dream and you yet to wake up to reality.

“My husband was a loving husband and father who loved his country and promoted nationalism in everything he did and regarded himself as a Papua New Guinean and served his country with pride”.

“My husband and daughter died in a peaceful manner at home and not from illness or accidents which makes it hard to believe’ said Mrs Noga.

She now leaves with her daughter Fiona who was disabled at the age of 13 after she was sick.

This is to notify Friends and Relatives of the passing of the Late MOANNA B PISIMI.

She was allegedly shot by police along Malahang back road at the early hours of the 1st day of January, 2015 and died instantly. She is survived by her husband Thomas Ponah Pisimi,and three children Mclaren Pisimi, Reagan Pisimi and Petrus Pisimi.

She will be sadly missed by her Family, Friends & Relatives.

The Haus Krai is at her residence at Beech Street, Boundary Road. For further details on the funeral arrangements contact the following; Thomas P Pisimi : 71171835 | Kepo Pisimi : 71198923

Late Mrs. Moanna B Pisimi May Her Soul Rest In Peace

Poem: Death is real

ONE does not leave a funeral in the same way that he has come. He cannot help but have death on his mind.

He cannot help but be aware that such is the end of all life. He may look at himself and have a new awareness that his body will not last forever.

These thoughts are ones that humans must face and find a way to deal with.

Some believe that the death is only the beginning of the next great mystery and the soul is eternal. Others take a practical view that death is all there is.

One leaves a funeral with thoughts of life and its fragility on his mind.

of life and its on his mind

LATE Brigdier General retired Kenneth Kora Noga and Late daughter Lorraine Noga.

money matters

For advertising, call 309 1103 or email lotej@spp.com.pg

For editorial, call 309 1107 or email kialaw@spp.com.pg

Smile through Christmas promotion

BY MARILYN PAUL

DESMOND Sijam was the lucky K500 shopping voucher winner for the smile through Christmas promotion drawn on the eve of New Year at the Waterfront Foodworld.

The smile through Christmas promotion was a nationwide initiative run in partnership with Colgate Palmolive’s trade partners for the duration of the Christmas period.

A happy Mr Sijam upon receiving his voucher said

the 2014 year was not good for him and family and this win would help boost his family’s New Year celebrations. He said the win is a good sign that 2015 will be a successful year for him and his family.

Mr Sijam an employee of

BANK OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Ox & Palm thanked Colgate Palmolive and Waterfront for the win adding that it was nice to be rewarded for being a loyal customer.

Waterfront Foodworld manager Alwin Balintong said the promotion was a big help for them in terms

Public Notice

of sales during the festive season. The promotion is a way of rewarding their loyal customers since the condition to enter the promotion was simply purchasing Palmolive items to enter the draw.

Colgate Palmolive was

WITHDRAWAL OF PAPER BANKNOTES

proud to have partnered with outlets such as Waterfront Foodworld and Boroko Foodworld, to name a few, whereby shoppers would get a chance to win a “K500” shopping voucher, upon the purchase of any Colgate Palmolive product.

The public is hereby advised that all PAPER BANKNOTES (K2.00, K5.00, K10.00, K20.00, K50.00 and K100.00), which have been in circulation previously are been withdrawn by the Bank of Papua New Guinea in accordance with Section 62 of the Central Banking Act of 2000. These PAPER BANKNOTES ceased to be legal tender in Papua New Guinea since 2012.

The PAPER BANKNOTES have been phased out and replaced by the POLYMER (plastic) substrate. The Polymer Banknotes remain as legal tender and are not affected by this notice.

Despite of the withdrawal of the PAPER BANKNOTES in 2012, the Bank of PNG has allowed the public who are holding onto PAPER BANKNOTES to return them only to the Bank of PNG and not commercial banks during 2013/2014. The Bank is aware that there are some unused PAPER BANKNOTES in the hands of the public. These unused PAPER BANKNOTES will NOT be accepted in exchange for Polymer Banknotes.

The public is therefore advised that effective from 31st December 2014 the Bank of PNG will NOT accept any more PAPER BANKNOTES in exchange for Polymer Banknotes .

All queries regarding this notice should be addressed to Mr. David Lakatani on telephone number 3227343 or email dlakatani@bankpng.gov.pg

Authorised by:

Loi M. Bakani Governor

FOODWORLD waterfront manager, Alwin Balintong handing the K500 shopping voucher to Desmond Sijam while Colgate Palmolive Santa looks on during the presentation at the waterfront and right: Colgate promo team.

cars guide

For advertising, call 309 1126 or email vmartin@spp.com.pg For editorial, call 309 1107 or email kialaw@spp.com.pg

Make road safety your responsibility Pedestrian and school crossings

AT many schools you will see the sign showing and drive very carefully at these palces as there are plenty of small children running about. It is advisable that you must not drive faster than 25km per hour across one of these crossings. Also, if there is a car that has stopped at the crossing, then you must stop too. It is a very serious offence to pass another car that has stopped at the crossing. You must wait until all the children have crossed the road right across to the other side before you can

Safe learn driving is here

INTRODUCING to the National Capital the fi rst dual controlled car. (Pictured above is the dual pedalled car)

Learn safe driving skills in the dual controlled car fi rst ever to be introduced into the NCD for Learner Drivers

Learner Driving is now safer and comfortable

Learn Motor Traffic Act, Offences, Penalties, Traffic Rules

What causes central wear out

and irregular wear out on tyre and how to prevent it What is friction Point? Why is it important?

“3 Point Turn”, “Hazard Action Plan”

Ignorance on basic car care causes expensive maintenance, new knowledge will help you to reduce and save money for other needs.

Drivesafe Training PNG is now in NCD. Find out more next week in the next Driving PNG column.

drive on. Always give way to the children. For the public pedestrian crossings, the pedestrian crossing signs are painted yellow. Drivers must slow down to the speed limit of 25km per hour as they approach it. You must be ready to stop and give way to pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing. You must not pass another car that has stopped at the crossing.

ROAD Side Assistance PNG is a subsidiary of the TG Holdings Ltd. We are a locally owned company which strives to provide a service which is honest, reliable, cost worthy and up to date. As the name speaks for itself, this is a company which specialises in road side assistance for motorists within city limits. We are on call 24 hours, 7 days a week.

At RSA, we provide everything in one package making it convenient for all car owners. Our vehicles are fitted with tools and equipments to get your car going in the quickest amount of time. We have gone one step further and have included the GPS Tracking and Remote Disable & Armed hold up response and pick up (monitored by JSM Investment)

We have qualified and experienced mechanics who are on call to attend to all your car problems, day or night. Our priority is your car 24 hours, 7days a week for members of RSAPNG members only. Following are the services we offer:

Jump Start/Flat Battery

Tyre Change

Towing

Free towing is provided up to15km in any direction of the breakdown/accident site. Whether it be a normal car break down, accident or if your car was stolen and needs to be retrieved. Any other requirements will be charged accordingly.

Towing will be offered to the member’s residence (RSA provides two types of membership. Please see attached membership forms for more information) or RSAPNG head office.

For Towing out of 15km town radius, a small fee will be charged depending on the distance from 15km town radius.

Vehicles over 2.5 tonne gross weight may require specialist equipment and additional labour. This will be at the drivers cost - unless you are covered by the RSA PLANTINUM PLUS MEMBERSHIP (see attached membership forms for more information)

Basic Maintenance/Electrical Breakdown

Free attendance of up to 20km from the nearest available RSAPNG premises.

Jump start will be provided if flat battery. If need replacement, that would be at drivers cost.

Bogged Vehicle

Free attendance up to 15km from RSAPNG premises to recover your vehicle, where it can be accessed, without leaving a constructed road/driveway.

Size & weight limits may apply for bogged service.

Any special equipment or additional labour will be at the driver/members cost.

Emergency Fuel

Can deliver Unleaded or Diesel up to 20km from the nearest RSAPNG premises. Fuel will be provided at drivers cost. For a PLATINUM PLUS member, fuel will be supplied within their respective service entitlements.

Lock-out/Key lost

Free service up to 20kms from the nearest RSAPNG premises to open vehicle when keys locked in.

Lost keys, damaged locks, or if we are unable to open vehicle, a locksmith can be arranged at the drivers cost.

*Note: up on following customers request to retrieve keys locked in a vehicle, RSAPNG will not be responsible for any minor damage that may occur.

Wheel Changing

Free attendance up to 15 km from the nearest RSAPNG premises.

If the work requires additional labour, a service fee will be charged.

*Note: when replacing the faulty tyre, we will make sure that your spare is road worthy according to the PNG Government Legislation.

GPS Tracking & Remote Disable RSAPNG can put a GPS tracking system in your vehicle.

We can switch off vehicles ignition at any time when requested by owner of the vehicle.

Armed hold up response & pick up (monitored by JSM Investment Ltd)

Respond to distress call out to retrieve stolen vehicle.

RSAPNG will attend to any members that have been held up by criminals.

We will notify listed relatives or your employer.

Aussie doctors save Ebola child

PERTH: Three patients have been successfully treated and discharged from an Australianfunded Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said an 11-year-old girl was the first to be discharged and has been released into the care of her family.

Ms Bishop said the girl’s father had paid tribute to the Australian and New Zealand health professionals who treated his daughter. She said 37 patients had been admitted to the facility, which was treating 26 people.

Ebola has killed more than

7900 people, almost all of them in west Africa. The World Health Organisation says more than 20,200 cases of the virus have been reported since the outbreak began in December 2013.

British engineers built the 100bed centre at Hastings airfield, near the Sierra Leone capital, and handed it to the Australian mission in mid-December.

There are 32 Australian and New Zealand health professionals at the facility, and four have returned home after completing their deployment.

Ms Bishop said a wall had been erected at the centre so surviving

patients could place their hand prints on it. The 11-year-old girl was the first to do so.

“I’m pleased that the treatment centre is under way. That it is making a difference, that we are saving lives,” she told reporters in Perth. The clinic’s operation comes after months of criticism that the federal government’s initial response was “lethally inadequate”.

British nurse Pauline Cafferkey is in a critical but stable condition in hospital in London after contracting Ebola while working at a British-built treatment centre in Sierra Leone.

2014 Australia’s third hottest year

MELBOURNE: Last year was Australia’s third-hottest on record, the Bureau of Meteorology says. The BOM’s annual climate statement, released on Tuesday, said 2014 was the third-warmest year since reliable climate records began in Australia in 1910, with mean temperatures (taking into account both maximum and minimum temperatures) 0.91C above

the long-term average.

BOM Climate Information

Services assistant director Neil Plummer said 2014 was a year that included six significant warm spells or heatwaves with a notable reduction in colder weather. The warmest year on record occurred in 2013, when the mean temperature was 1.2C above the long-term average.

“Particularly warm conditions

occurred in spring 2014, which was Australia’s warmest spring on record,” Mr Plummer said.

“El Nino-like effects were felt in drier and warmer conditions in much of eastern Australia during 2014.”

The World Meteorological Organization is collating data but believes the world experienced its hottest or among its hottest years in 2014, Mr Plummer said.

ENGA PROVINCIAL SUPPLY & TENDERS BOARD

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR THE PROVISION OF STATIONARY SUPPLIES TO THE SCHOOLS IN THE ENGA PROVINCE

Vision

Education is the priority of the Enga Provincial Government. The Provincial Education Board in this regard has identified a number of projects and programs and begun to implement them to achieve the Provincial Government’s vision of Reformed Quality Service delivery and to ensure that the serv ice is truly provided to the schools in the province.

Scope of Service Required

Consistent with the Provincial Government’s vision of providing quality service to the schools the Provincial Supply and Tenders Board is seeking Expressions of Interest to provide high quality stationaries to the schools in the Enga Province.

Legal Standing, ability and Experience

The ideal bidder will be registered, reputable service provider having demonstrated high level management and continuity in the respective industry. The company must have proven track record in the provision of high quality supplies and capable of meeting demands of the schools.

Essential Requirements

Expression of Interest proposal must contain details of the type of service to be provided and must have IPA registration certificate, tax certificate, company profile and such other relevant documents.

Delivery and Due Date

All proposals clearly marked “ EPSTB 01/2014 – Provision of Stationary Service” must be delivered no later than 4:06 p.m. on the 30th January, 2015 to:

The Chairman, Enga Provincial Supply and Tenders Board, P. O. Box 109, WABAG, Enga Province.

Authorised By: Dr. Samson Amean Provincial Administrator

NZ unscathed after South Island quake

WELLINGTON: Despite large parts of New Zealand’s South Island being jolted awake by a shallow magnitude 6.0 quake, it appears the area has come away relatively unscathed.

The quake, which struck just before 7am on Tuesday, was centred 30km west of Arthur’s Pass at a depth of 5km.

More than 30 aftershocks have been recorded in the area since.

By mid-afternoon, there had been just a handful of claims made to the Earthquake Commission for damage resulting from the quake, a spokeswoman told AAP.

There have been fewer than 20 calls and most were from Christchurch and the Canterbury area.

GNS Science spokeswoman

Caroline Little said it was a significant earthquake.

“On average we would only get two quakes in the 6-6.9 range in New Zealand a year,” she said. “And 5km is quite a shallow quake.”

Fiona Neale of the Arthur’s Pass Alpine Motel, who was in Christchurch for the 2011 quake, says she got “quite a jolt”.

“I was asleep, but a quake like that will wake you up,” she told AAP.

“It went for about 15 seconds or so. It was fairly solid.”

KiwiRail closed lines in the area after the quake so staff could check for damage.

Bus replacements were organised for passengers and freight services have resumed on the reopened lines.

Public funeral for slain children

BRISBANE: A public funeral for eight children who were killed in far north Queensland will be held on Saturday at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Relatives of the four girls and four boys, aged between two and 14 years, have invited members of the

community to the service at 10am on January 10.

The children will then be buried at Martyn Street Cemetery at Manunda.

The children were found dead in a house in the Cairns suburb of Manoora on December 19.

A WINE bottle melted by the heat of an Australian bushfire stands in the remains of a home. Firefighters in South Australia are still trying to contain a major blaze. SEE Page 27. Picture: AFP/BBC

EXTREME FIRE HEAT

Western Australia bushfire threatens lives

PERTH: Lives and homes are still under threat from a bushfire burning in Western Australia’s South West region.

A watch and act alert remains in place for people near the Davis forest block, 15km south-east of Dardanup.

“There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.

“You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.”

The fire started near Pile Road at 3pm on Monday and was believed to

Race to contain fire

ADELAIDE: Firefighters battling the most destructive blaze to hit South Australia in more than a decade have made significant progress at the fire front, but remain concerned about “breakaways” as weather conditions deteriorate.

Hundreds of firefighters and a record number of aircraft have been mobilised in an effort to contain the bushfire which has destroyed or badly damaged 26 homes, as well as dozens of farm buildings, and scorched almost 13,000 hectares of land since Friday.

The Country Fire Service on Tuesday said favourable conditions overnight had allowed firefighters to ensure the fire did not progress beyond its 220km perimeter, with no “escapes” being reported.

But the CFS says that while there is not an imminent risk to lives, weather conditions might change and some breakaways could occur.

“It is expected that fire behaviour may increase in the coming hours as temperatures and winds increase,” the CFS said.

The temperature in Adelaide and surrounding areas is forecast to soar to 38C on Tuesday, and

again on Wednesday when a late weather change is expected to shift winds and present potentially catastrophic conditions.

Country Fire Service chief officer Greg Nettleton said he was particularly concerned about the southern flank of the fire.

“There are a number of hot spots, particularly on the southern side of the fire and we’ve got resources there should any flare-ups occur throughout today,” he said.

“We’ve got to get through today and Wednesday and our aim is to catch those flare-ups if they occur from the hot spots.”

A record number of 31 aircraft are on stand-by to conduct aerial bombings, while hundreds of firefighters from South Australia will be reinforced by counterparts from Victoria and NSW.

At least 37 families have been provided with temporary accommodation as a result of the fire and many more are expected to apply for disaster relief.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday said that while standard national disaster relief and recovery arrangements were already in place, further announcements were set to be made in terms of Centrelink payments for those affected.

be an escape from a prescribed burn that began in October.

The blaze is contained on both sides of Pile Road, but hop-overs may flare up as the temperature rises during the day, DFES warns.

If the flames were not contained, they could move towards the lower Collie River Valley, including Honeymoon Pool and Potters Gorge.

Westerly winds are forecast for later on Monday morning, with south-westerly winds forecast in the early afternoon.

Dry, hot and potentially stormy conditions are expected.

Teens arrested over bushfires

ADELAIDE: Two teenagers have been arrested after allegedly starting a fire in Adelaide, as the city remains under threat from one of the most destructive bushfires to hit South Australia in more than a decade.

The two boys were picked up by police after a member of the public reported seeing smoke just after 9.30pm at a reserve at Modbury in Adelaide’s inner north-east.

A small fire was discovered inside a storm water drain and extin-

guished. The two 15-year-old boys from Para Hills West and Modbury were arrested and charged with lighting or maintaining a fire in the open in fire danger season.

The arrests come as firefighters race to try to contain an out of control fire on Adelaide’s northeastern fringe which has been burning since Friday, and has so far destroyed or badly damaged at least 26 homes.

Both boys have been bailed to appear in the Adelaide Youth Court on February 6.

Worsening conditions ahead

ADELAIDE: Authorities are preparing for potentially catastrophic weather conditions that could fan a blaze that has already ripped through 13,000 hectares and destroyed or badly damaged 26 homes in the Adelaide Hills.

Firefighters from Victoria and NSW were set to reinforce 700 South Australian counterparts

already battling the bushfire which has burned out of control since it began on Friday at Sampson Flat on Adelaide’s northeastern edge.

The boost in numbers on the ground comes ahead of deteriorating weather conditions, with the temperature forecast to hit 38C on yesterday and again today, when a late change could also bring winds.

A MASSIVE bushfire near Tulka sends up smoke over the beach. Picture: The Australian/Country Fire Service

Survey: Aussies would side with China over row

AUSTRALIANS would overwhelmingly reject siding with close ally Japan against toptrade partner China over a dispute in the East China Sea and prefer to remain neutral, according to a recent survey.

Beijing and Tokyo have long been engaged in a bitter battle over ownership of a contested island chain, known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.

Australia has a long-standing military alliance with Japan’s close ally, the United States, which could arguably see it drawn into the dispute.

But a poll commissioned by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS), has suggested that 71 per cent of Australians would prefer to remain neutral should a conflict arise.

“The poll confirms Australians overwhelmingly want their country to stay

neutral,” former foreign minister Bob Carr said, who is the director of the independent research think-tank.

When asked what Australia should do if armed conflict broke out between Japan, the US and China over the islands, only 15 per cent of respondents said they supported backing a Japan-US alliance.

Four per cent said Australia should back China and 9 per cent were unsure, the poll of more than 1,000 people found.

Should the US president call and ask the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to join in supporting Japan, 68 per cent said Australia should declare itself neutral and not make a military contribution.

Only 14 per cent said Australian troops should join allies US and Japan in war while 17 per cent were unsure.

Mr Carr said as far as the public was concerned, Australia was not obliged under the Australia-New ZealandUnited States (ANZUS) treaty to make a commitment. The treaty binds Australia, New Zealand and the United States to cooperate on defence matters.

“We know that Australians overwhelmingly support the ANZUS treaty but this poll confirms they do not want it invoked in conflict between China and Japan over the islands in the East China Sea,” he said.

Australia and Japan have recently moved to strengthen military and economic ties, and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has described Canberra as Tokyo’s “best friend”.

But China is Australia’s biggest trading partner, with the two-way flow exceeding $150 billion. –AFP/ABC

ENGA PROVINCIAL SUPPLY & TENDERS BOARD EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR THE PROVISION OF FOOD RATION SERVICES TO THE SCHOOLS IN THE ENGA PROVINCE

Vision

Education is the priority of the Enga Provincial Government. The Provincial Education Board in this regard has identified a number of projects and programs and begun to implement them to achieve the Provincial Government’s vision of Reformed Quality Service delivery and to ensure that the ser vice is truly provided to the schools in the province.

Scope of Service Required

Consistent with the Provincial Government’s vision of providing quality service to the schools the Provincial Supply and Tenders Board is seeking Expressions of Interest to provide high quality food rations to the schools in the Enga Province.

Legal Standing, ability and Experience

The ideal bidder will be registered, reputable service provider having demonstrated high level management and continuity in the respective industry. The company must have proven track record in the provision of high quality supplies and capable of meeting demands of the schools.

Essential Requirements

Expression of Interest proposal must contain details of the type of service to be provided and must have IPA registration certificate, tax certificate, company profile and such other relevant documents.

Delivery and Due Date

All proposals clearly marked “ EPSTB 02/2014 – Provision of Food Ration Service” must be delivered no later than 4:06 p.m. on the 30th January, 2015 to:

The Chairman, Enga Provincial Supply and Tenders Board, P. O. Box 109, WABAG, Enga Province.

Authorised By: Dr. Samson Amean Provincial Administrator

island chain, known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. Picture: AFP/ ABC

Palau smokers hit with increased taxes

SMOKERS in Palau will pay more for cigarettes after another increase in tobacco tax came into effect at the start of this year.

The January 1 tobacco tax hike means a packet now costs $US5.00, an increase of $1.50 from last year.

Local journalist Bernadette Carreon told Pacific Beat the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Palau and health organisations have welcomed the tax increases on cigarettes.

“According to the Tobacco-Free Palau Coalition there is a reduction in tobacco use,” she said.

“Especially some Palauans use tobacco with the betel nut and as Islanders they like to chew betel nut.

“With chewing betel nut, they usually chew tobacco with it, so that is also part of the reduction of consumption.”

Ms Carreon said the tobacco tax has improved the health of people in Palau and created valuable economic revenue for the country.

“I don’t hear much complaint

about the tax increase of tobacco or whether it affects the businesses,” she said. Last year, the Palau government received a World No Tobacco Day award from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its tobacco control measures.

The WHO’s goal for the international No Tobacco Day was to raise tobacco taxes.

It acknowledged the progress Palau, Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga have made towards reducing the consumption of tobacco by raising taxes on tobacco products.

The WHO said reduced tobacco use would mean less deaths and diseases. Tobacco use was the most preventable cause of death globally and has been responsible for 10 per cent of adult deaths worldwide, according to the WHO.

In 2013, Pacific Island health ministers adopted the Tobacco Free Pacific 2025 goal, which aims to reduce tobacco use among adults to less than 5 per cent. –ABC

Newman: Qld okay with early poll

BRISBANE: Queensland’s premier doesn’t expect the state’s voters to punish him for scheduling an election campaign during the holiday period.

Campbell Newman on Tuesday announced the state election will be held on January 31, meaning most of the 26 campaign days will take place while people are away on school holidays or returning to work.

There hasn’t been a January election, state or federal, anywhere in Australia since World War II.

Mr Newman is also being dogged by questions over who’ll take the top job if his Liberal National Party (LNP) wins, but he loses his seat of Ashgrove - a plausible scenario according to recent polls.

The scenario, dubbed “Plan B”, hounded Mr Newman when he was trying to become premier from outside parliament in 2012 as well.

Deputy premier Jeff Seeney or treasurer Tim Nicholls would be the major contenders to take over as party leader and premier if Mr Newman falls.

BEIJING and Tokyo have long been engaged in a bitter battle over ownership of the contested

Aussies warned to avoid Bali

THE Australian government on Monday warned Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, because of a “high threat of terrorist attack”.

The advice followed a warning from the US government on 3 January of a potential threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city. The government stopped short of warning people not to travel to Indonesia.

However attack there “could take place at any time”, the government said.

MARTIAL ART SHOW

Indonesia officials expand AirAsia search area

INDONESIAN officials have expanded their search area as the hunt for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 goes on.

The flight from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore crashed into the sea on 28 December37 bodies have been recovered out of 162 people on board.

Officials believe they may have located the tail, which holds the “black boxes”, and parts from the fuselage.

But poor weather has repeatedly delayed efforts to reach and identify the debris and bring it to land.

It is still not known what caused the crash and despite a massive search the main part of the plane has not been found.

Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, the head of Indone-

sia’s search and rescue agency Henry Bambang Soelistyo said teams were “adding to and expanding the priority search area” as of Tuesday.

The weather had improved, he said, so underwater devices had been deployed, while divers had been able to continue operating.

Indonesia Air Force Lt Col Jhonson Supriadi said the weather was “pretty good” on Tuesday, although he expected it to “get uglier again” later in the day.

Dozens of ships and aircraft are involved in the operation, with Chinese rescue ship and a US Navy vessel joining the mission on Tuesday.

The focus is an area of sea about 90 nautical miles off Borneo, where several large

objects which could be from the missing jet have been detected in shallow waters.

Divers sent down to investigate debris have been faced zero visibility because of strong currents and rough seas.

Remotely operated cameras were being used to try to photograph the objects, but waves up to 5m (16ft) high and strong currents made their use difficult.

There were 137 adult passengers, 17 children and one infant, along with two pilots and five crew, on the planethe majority Indonesian.

The families of the passengers have been offered a chance to fly to the location believed to be the crash site and lay flower wreaths, the

commander of the Armed Forces, Gen Moeldoko, said in Surabaya.

They would fly to Pangkalan Bun, the nearest town, then be taken by a naval ship to the location in the Java Sea. He said he believed this might help “reduce their sadness and the feeling of loss”.

Gen Moeldoko also assured the families that all the victims would be identified regardless of their condition when found.

He said 260 national and international doctors were working to identify the remains recovered using finger prints, dental records and bone DNA.

Officials have said the plane was travelling at 32,000ft when the pilot’s last communica-

tion was a request to climb to 38,000ft to avoid bad weather.

On Saturday, Indonesian weather agency BMKG said initial analysis suggested icy conditions in the air had caused the engine to stall.

It has emerged that AirAsia did not have official permission from Indonesia to fly the Surabaya-Singapore route on the day of the crash, but was licensed on four other days of the week.

The Indonesian authorities have now suspended the company’s flights on this route pending an investigation.

AirAsia - which previously had an excellent safety record with no fatal accidents involving its aircraft - said it would “fully co-operate”.

-BBC news

“We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place at any time,” said a statement on the government’s Smart Traveller website.

“You should also be aware of the severe penalties for narcotics offences, including the death penalty; some specific health risks; and risks associated with natural disasters,” the statement said.

The government’s “exercise a high degree of caution” warning is a step up from its “exercise normal safety precautions” warning but not as strong as “reconsider your need to travel” or “do not travel” warnings.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the threat of terrorist activity anywhere in the world remained.

Talking to journalists on Tuesday, she would not be drawn into directly commenting on how safe it was for Australians to travel to Bali, referring people to the Smart Traveller advice.

Asked if she would feel comfortable travelling to Bali she replied “Yes I would.”

The Smart Traveller statement said gatherings at places of worship over Christmas and New Year had been targeted in the past, particularly in places like Poso and Solo, “and could be attacked again”.

“Gatherings of Westerners over this period could also be appealing targets for terrorists. -BBC news

Malaysian leader contracts E. coli in floods visit

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak has contracted E. coli after visiting the country’s flooded north-east, his office says.

An aide said he had been told to rest but would return to work soon.

The bacterial infection can be transmitted through contact with contaminated food and water, but most strains are harmless.

At least 21 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced in the country’s worst flooding in decades.

Mr Najib’s press secretary told the AFP news agency that the prime minister was resting at home, having become infected after touring flood-affected regions in December.

His eventual visit followed criticism from some in Malaysia that the government had been slow to respond to the crisis.

Many people were stranded without food and drinking water for days as entire villages were temporarily submerged.

Rescue workers struggled to reach displaced people at designated relief centres, with eight states affected in total.

Mr Najib provoked the ire of some in the country after being photographed playing golf with US President Barack Obama in Hawaii as more than 200,000 people were evacuated.

The Prime Minister defended his “golf diplomacy”, saying the trip had been planned for some time.

He insisted he had been thoroughly briefed on the sit-

uation during his visit to the US. “Every day when I was there, I received the latest report on the flood situation. As it became more serious, I decided to return to the country as soon as possible,” he said in Kota Bharu, the capital of Kelantan province, one of the worst-hit areas. Flood waters have now mostly receded, with people returning to devastated homes filled with mud. Further heavy rainfall is expected to hit southern states later this week. -BBC news

AirAsia plane crash and Australia bushfires ended 2014 for Asia-Pacific region. The bottom line

PRIME Minister Najib Razak visited the worst-affected areas of flooding in Malaysia in December. Picture: BBC

INDIAN Sikhs show off their martial arts skills during a religious procession ahead of the anniversary of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Picture: BBC

Five die in Kashmir border clash

Four civillians, soldier killed

FOUR civilians and a soldier have been killed as India and Pakistan continued to exchange fire in the disputed Kashmir region, officials say.

A Pakistani military statement said the civilians have been killed in firing by Indian forces near the city of Sialkot since Sunday.

India said one of its soldiers was killed in firing by Pakistani forces in the Samba area on Monday. Hostilities between the neighbours have escalated in the past year.

Last week, Indian forces in Kashmir killed four Pakistani troops on the border after an Indian soldier was killed in an attack blamed on Pakistan. Pakistan said it had lodged a protest with the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad.

A ceasefire agreed in 2003 remains in place, but it is often violated.

In October, 16 peoplenine Pakistanis and seven Indians - died when the two sides exchanged fire for several days.

The two sides often blame each other for firing and

shelling in the disputed region.

A Pakistani military statement said four Pakistani civilians, including a woman and a teenage boy, had been killed since Sunday in “unprovoked firing and shelling” by Indian troops in the recent exchange of fire on the border.

The statement said that Pakistani soldiers were “effectively responding to India’s [unprovoked] firing”.

India’s government has not yet reacted to the Pakistani allegations.

Earlier on Monday, an Indian soldier was killed in a clash in the Samba area, some 350km (217 miles) from Srinagar, the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said.

Nearly 10,000 people living in border villages on the Indian side have been evacuated or fled their homes over the last few days, officials said.

Some people went back to their homes and fields during the day when the firing subsided, but returned to

government-run relief camps later, Shantmanu, a government official, told the Associated Press.

Correspondents say 2014 saw an escalation in hostilities between the neighbours with some of the worst violence in a decade. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the clashes.

Earlier in the summer, India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration and there were hopes that relations between Delhi and Islamabad would improve.

But ties have deteriorated since then with India cancelling scheduled talks with Pakistan in August and insisting that Delhi would “not tolerate acts of border violations by Pakistan” and that “ceasefire violations must stop”.

Kashmir, claimed by both countries in its entirety, has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years and the South Asian rivals have fought two wars over the region.

-BBC news

Bangladeshi opposition leader calls for blockade

BANGLADESHI opposition leader

Khaleda Zia has called on her supporters to enforce a transport blockade after four protesters were killed in clashes with police and pro-government crowds.

She urged members of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to halt road, rail and river transport indefinitely.

The deaths came on the first anniversary of disputed general elections won by the Awami League.

Both parties have called for rallies despite a ban on demonstrations.

Security forces are preventing Ms Zia from leaving her party offices in the capital Dhaka. Police say they want to stop violence.

“Not only am I prisoner, but the whole of the country is being held captive. What kind of country are we living in?” Ms Zia said from her office.

The opposition leader was forced to issue her call for mass protests from inside the premises, having been stopped from leaving since police cordoned off the area on Saturday night.

Ms Zia and her arch rival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have frequently called for general strikes and blockades when in opposition.

The prime minister for her part accused the BNP of trying to create chaos in its efforts to overthrow the government.

“I am urging the BNP leader to stop these bomb and grenade attacks, these acts of sabotage, and killings, of arson and damage to property,” she said in a televised address to the nation.

On Monday, the authorities parked trucks laden with sand and bricks outside her office in what correspondents say was an effort to prevent her from spearheading anti-government protests in person.

While the opposition leader was barred from leaving her offices, armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon also stopped her supporters from entering or leaving.

Thousands of riot police have been patrolling almost deserted streets in the capital. Authorities had cancelled bus, rail and ferry services into the city to prevent mass rallies.

-BBC news

INDIA and Pakistan agreed a ceasefire in 2003, but it is often violated. Picture: BBC

POLICE have been accused of standing by as Awami League supporters attacked opposition party members. Picture: BBC

Racism against Brittish Chinese ignored

BRITISH Chinese people and community leaders have been telling Newsbeat that racism against them isn’t taken seriously enough.

Michael Wilkes from the British Chinese Project says people regularly contact the community group about physical and verbal abuse.

“We’ve been getting calls and emails about racist incidents from right across the UK,” he says.

“There’s a lack of knowledge about the words Chinese people find offensive.”

It’s just become such a norm that the N-word or the P-word aren’t allowed but people feel they can use the C-word.

North Korea, China in ties talks after killing

PAPERS and experts discuss Beijing-Pyongyang ties following reports that a North Korean soldier killed four people in a Chinese border town.

The soldier crossed the border in late December, stealing money and food before killing residents in Helong.

According to papers, he was later arrested north of the Tumen River that divides China and North Korea.

The Chinese foreign ministry gave no details about the incident, but said it has lodged a protest with North Korea.

Most papers in China have carried the news, quoting South Korea’s Yonhap News

Agency and state-run Xinhua, while appearing to refrain from making any comments about the incident.

Experts, however, dismiss speculation that the incident will hurt Beijing-Pyongyang ties.

Zhao Lixin, a Korean studies expert, tells the Global Times such a case “should be viewed as a criminal incident rather than a political case”.

“The Chinese government will protect its citizens’ safety. This will not influence the relations between China and North Korea,” says the pundit.

Echoing similar view, Wang Linchang, another expert on Korean affairs, tells the Chi-

nese edition of the paper that China will “handle the matter seriously and will not let go of the murderer easily”.

Meanwhile, noting that the news was first broken by news agencies in South Korea, the Global Times’ Chinese edition takes a rare step and criticises Chinese officials and the media’s silence over the issue.

“Don’t let South Korea’s media tell us that a North Korean soldier has entered China,” says the editorial, pointing out that the incident was only revealed a week later and by a “third party”.

“This makes one wonder the reason behind the delay in informing the public. Maybe it

is because of the sensitivity of Beijing-Pyongyang relations. But this is an individual case…which has no connection to the bilateral ties,” argues the paper.

The article further urges government agencies and “mainstream media” to increase their credibility by providing timely information.

“South Korea’s media outlets have gained credibility by reporting this news, while China’s mainstream media and officials are losing out,” notes the daily.

Elsewhere, papers warn of a “reverse” in cross-strait ties after former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian was

granted a month of medical parole.

Mr Chen, president from 2000-2008, was six years into a 20-year sentence for money laundering and accepting bribes.

During his presidency, Mr Chen angered China by pushing for Taiwan’s formal independence.

He has accused the current government of political persecution in order to appease Beijing, as it pursues closer ties with China.

A Xinhua report calls him “the disgrace of Taiwan” and highlights the corruption cases that he was allegedly involved in during his term.

-BBC news

“The population is widely dispersed across the country which means many Chinese people are very isolated, will stand out a lot more and be a lot more vulnerable,” he adds.

The last census showed 0.7% of the population were Chinese in England and Walesthat’s 392,700 people.

Michael claims a lot of racist attacks go unreported, because of widespread mistrust in the police.

He also believes there are cultural reasons for it.

“Essentially Chinese people don’t like to worry other people,” he says.

“There’s a mindset within the Chinese community that we need to keep our business within ourselves, within our own family unit.”

Sara, who didn’t want us to use her real name or to be identified, is 24 and describes herself as British-born Chinese.

She says there’s a double standard when it comes to people using the word “chink”.

“It’s just become such a norm that the N-word or the P-word aren’t allowed but people feel they can use the C-word,” she says.

-BBC news

China scraps quotas on rare earths after complaint

CHINA has scrapped its quota system restricting exports of rare earth minerals after losing a World Trade Organisation (WTO) case.

Beijing imposed the restriction in 2009 while it tried to develop its own industry for the 17 minerals, which are crucial to making many hi-tech products, including mobile phones.

Last year, a WTO panel ruled that China had failed to show the

export quotas were justified.

China dominates rare earth production.

It is estimated to be responsible for 90% of its production, despite only having a third of the world’s deposits.

The change was detailed in China’s Ministry of Commerce trade guidelines, issued at the end of December.

Under the new guidelines, rare earths will still require an export licence but the amount

that can be sold abroad will no longer be covered by a quota.

The United States, the European Union and Japan had complained that China was limiting exports in a bid to drive up prices.

The complaint, upheld by the WTO, also said the quota was designed to gain market advantage for domestic producers with cheaper access to the raw materials.

-BBC news

China and North Korea are close friends.

Residents who lost their homes in a huge fire on New Year’s Day sift through the debris in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines. Picture: BBC

NEW YEAR DISASTER

Kurds sieze key district

KURDISH fighters battling Islamic State (IS) in Kobane, northern Syria, have seized a key district and now control 80% of the town, activists say.

Kurds backed by Iraqi Peshmerga forces captured the security district including the police HQ, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS advanced on the town in September and quickly overran much of it.

Since then, however, Kurdish fighters helped by USled air strikes have steadily pushed them back.

The Observatory, based in the UK, said Kurdish fighters known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG) had seized the security area after fierce clashes that started on Sunday night.

Kobane official Idriss Nassan confirmed the report and said IS fighters still controlled the eastern districts of Maqtala and Kani Kordan.

“Hopefully within days the (YPG) units will be in control of the whole city,” he said.

“The advance has become faster and the air strikes are more intense.” -AAp news

Call for tribal revolution

US opposes Israeli tax freeze on Palestinians

THE US says it is opposed to a move by Israel to halt the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel took the step in retaliation for the Palestinian bid to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Israeli officials said on Saturday that $127m (£82m) collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority last month would be held back.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the Israeli move would raise tensions.

“We call on both sides to

avoid action that raises tensions and makes it difficult to return to direct negotiations. Obviously this action would qualify in that category,” she said.

She also said the US was “deeply troubled by the Palestinian action”.

Ms Psaki said joining the ICC was “entirely counterproductive and does nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state”.

She reiterated warnings that the Palestinian move could have “implications” for US aid to the Palestinian Au-

thority. “The focus right now is to continue to encourage both sides,” she said. Joining the ICC could see Palestinians pursue Israel on war-crimes charges. Israel collects taxes on behalf of the Palestinians and transfers about $100m per month. It accounts for two-thirds of the authority’s budget.

Israel froze the monthly transfers in April 2014 after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas applied to join a series of international treaties and conventions.

Last Wednesday, Mr Abbas signed the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty.

Under the terms of the statute, it will take about 60 days for the Palestinians to join the ICC after they file the documents.

Neither Israel nor the US is a member of the ICC.

Based in The Hague, the ICC can prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed since 1 July 2002, when the Rome Statute came into force.

-BBC news

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called for a “tribal revolution” against the Islamic State group, in a sign of the importance Baghdad places on tribal resistance against the jihadists.

In a meeting with Suhaib al-Rawi, the newly elected governor of embattled Anbar province, Abadi “stressed the need for a tribal revolution to rid the body of Iraqi society of this foreign enemy”, the premier’s office said.

He emphasised “the importance of the tribes and the sons of the province taking part in liberating their areas from the terrorist organisations”. IS spearheaded a sweeping militant offensive last year that overran large parts of Iraq, including significant territory in Anbar which stretches from the borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the western approach to Baghdad.

Lebanon refugee curb prompts UN concern

THE UN has expressed concern over new Lebanese restrictions on Syrian refugees aimed at slowing the influx of asylum seekers escaping civil war.

The UN wants the government to clarify whether the “most vulnerable refugees” can still gain access to Lebanon.

Travel between the two countries was previously largely unrestricted, but now Syrians will have to obtain a visa.

There are more than a million Syrians in Lebanon, and a senior minister says there is “no more capacity”. “We have enough. There’s no capacity an-

ymore to host more displaced,’’

Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk said at a news conference on Monday.

Millions of Syrians have been displaced by the civil war as rebel forces try to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

Activists say more than 76,000 people were killed in Syria’s conflict in 2014, including almost 18,000 civilians.

Under the new measures, Syrians wishing to enter Lebanon will have to fulfil certain criteria in order to be granted a visa at the border. Previously, Syrians could automatically stay in

Lebanon for up to six months.

Khalil Jebara, an adviser to Mr Machnouk, told the BBC that Lebanon “will only allow refugees under very limited and exceptional cases.”

Lawmaker Basem Shabb told the BBC that the government had done “all that it could” to support Syrian refugees.

“But it’s also clear to most Lebanese that this situation cannot continue... because it will affect not only the Lebanese but finally it will affect the Syrian refugees in Lebanon if Lebanon descends into chaos.”

-BBC news

The hostility between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for centuries, according to biblical record. The bottom line

FIREFIGHTERS battled to extinguish a fire in an oil storage tank at the port of Es Sider in Ras Lanuf, Libya. Picture: BBC

OIL TANK ON FIRE

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed the ICC’s founding treaty last week

LEBANON hosts more than a million Syrian refugees. Picture: BBC

Detained Christians freed in Libya

THIRTEEN Coptic Christian workers from Egypt have been freed after being seized in Libya, an official said.

On Saturday, eyewitnesses in the northern city of Sirte said gunmen took the Christian men in the middle of the night from a residential com-

But a tribal leader insisted on Monday that they had been detained by people smugglers, not kidnapped.

The incident was the latest in a series of recent attacks on Egyptian Christians working in Libya.

Local residents said the masked gunmen had separated the Christians from the Muslims before handcuffing them and taking them away Muftah Marzuq, head of the council of elders in the coastal city of Sirte, said the men were released after negotiations between the gunmen and local officials.

Libyan jets bomb Greek operated oil tanker

LIBYAN air force jets have bombed a Greek-operated oil tanker chartered by Libya’s national oil company, killing two crew members.

A Libyan military spokesman told the BBC that the ship’s movements at the port of Derna had aroused suspicion.

The oil company rejected this, saying the ship was delivering fuel to industrial facilities there and the authorities had been kept informed.

Derna has been controlled by Islamist militants for the past two years.

The Libyan military attacked the port several times last year in an attempt to weaken militant groups there.

The military spokesman, Colonel Ahmed Mesmari, said the tanker had been targeted because it had failed to submit to an inspection before entering the port.

He said the vessel was supposed to dock at a power plant in Derna but instead “took a different route”, entering a “military zone”.

“We asked the ship to stop, but instead it turned off all its lights and would not respond so we were obliged to strike it.

“We bombed it twice,” he said.

Libya’s National Oil Corporation said the tanker had picked up 13,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil in Brega, a port south of Libya’s second city,

Benghazi, which it was due to deliver to a power plant and water purification facility in Derna.

It said the vessel was attacked before it could enter the port to unload its cargo.

There were 26 crew members on board the ship, Araevo, including nationals from the Philippines, Greece and Romania.

Two were injured in Sunday’s attack, in addition to those killed.

The Liberian-flagged tanker is operated by an Athensbased shipping company, Aegean Shipping Enterprises Company.

The company said there was no leakage of oil and it was assessing the damage.

Col Mesmari told Reuters the vessel had been bringing Islamist fighters to Derna. “We had warned any ship not to dock at the port without prior permission,” he was quoted as saying.

The National Oil Corporation did not comment on the allegation but said the bombing of the tanker would have a “very negative” impact on oil shipping from Libyan ports. It said it remained neutral in the conflict in Libya and the incident would hinder its ability to maintain supplies within the local market.

Libya has been in chaos since its long-time leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, was overthrown with Western military help in 2011.

Numerous militias govern their own patches of territory, with successive governments struggling to exercise control.

The competition for power and resources has led to frequent fighting and battles to control facilities, including ports, linked to Libya’s oil industry.

The internationally recognised government is based in Tobruk, near the Egyptian border, having been expelled from the capital, Tripoli, by militias in 2014.

A rival militia-backed administration now controls the capital while Benghazi is largely in the hands of Islamist fighters.

“The Egyptians were held by a group that deals in illegal people smuggling, because of a dispute involving money and transportation to the Harawa region east of Sirte,” Mr Marzuq told reporters.

News of their disappearance emerged when a source close to the government accused Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia of having kidnapped the 13 Christians.

The incident came just a few days after seven other Coptic Christians from Egypt were reportedly abducted at a fake checkpoint in Sirte as they tried to leave the city. Mr Marzuq made no mention of the earlier kidnapping.

In early December, there was also an attack on the home of an Egyptian Coptic doctor in Sirte, in which he and his wife were killed. Local reports said the couple’s daughter was also found dead after being abducted. Libya is home to a large community of both Muslim and Coptic Egyptians, with most working in the construction sector.

--BBC news

US charges over Gambia coup plot against leader

TWO men have been charged in the US with attempting to overthrow The Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh, the justice department has said.

The defendants, who are of Gambian origin, are accused of conspiring against a friendly nation and conspiring to possess firearms.

Gambian authorities said they had thwarted a coup attempt on 30 December.

Mr Jammeh seized power in the tiny West African nation in 1994 and has been accused of authoritarianism.

He was abroad when gunfire broke out near the presidential palace in the capital, Banjul, on 30 December.

The president later returned home and accused dissidents based in the US, UK and Germany of being behind the attack.

Between 10 and 12 people had entered The Gambia to overthrow Mr Jammeh, “with the expectation that others in the country would join and assist them”, the US justice department said in a statement.

They included US citizen Cherno Njie, 57, and US-Gam-

bian dual national Papa Faal, 46, it said.

“These defendants stand accused of conspiring to carry out the violent overthrow of a foreign government, in violation of US law,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

“The United States is committed to holding them fully responsible for their actions.”

The US court criminal complaint charging two men with attempting to stage a coup in Gambia is 20 pages long and ripe with details and maps of a plot so thick it almost looks

like a Hollywood screenplay.

But two words in the document have proven surprising“friendly nation”. The Gambia is considered to have one of the worst human rights records in Africa, but by US law it is illegal for US citizens or residents to start a war with a country with which the US has peaceful relations.

State department spokesperson Jen Psaki reiterated at the daily briefing: “Of course as with any country, including Gambia, when we have concerns with human rights issues we express them.” -BBC news

YAHYA Jammeh has led The Gambia for two decades and told the BBC he would rule for “a billion years”.

Picture: BBC

THE Libyan military has been battling Islamist militias, which have seized control of several cities. Picture: BBC

UK Ebola nurse has stabilised

A BRITISH nurse who was diagnosed with Ebola after returning from Sierra Leone is still in a critical condition, but has stabilised, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says.

He said Pauline Cafferkey was getting the “best possible care” at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

He went on to say “she stands for the very best of NHS values” and that the whole country was proud of her.

Mr Hunt said screening measures had been “strengthened” at airports.

Ms Cafferkey, a public health nurse, was diagnosed with Ebola in December after volunteering with Save the Children in Sierra Leone.

She is being treated with experimental drugs and Mr Hunt confirmed she had received blood plasma from another British nurse, William Pooley, who recovered from an Ebola infection.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hunt said: “I have this morning spoken to Dr Mike Jacobs, an expert in infectious diseases who is leading the team of doctors and

nurses caring for Pauline at the Royal Free.

“As has been reported, Pauline’s condition has deteriorated to a critical state although she stabilised yesterday and continues to receive the best possible care.”

Ms Cafferkey had travelled home via Casablanca, Morocco, and Heathrow Airport in London.

She was initially screened at Heathrow, but her temperature was normal.

She told officials at the airport that she believed a fever might be developing and her temperature was taken a further six times within 30 minutes.

It was normal each time and she was cleared to fly home to Scotland.

Mr Hunt insisted this was

the correct decision and that there was no risk of transmitting the virus to fellow passengers.

However, he did say screening was not “as smooth as it needed to be” and that over Christmas “we probably didn’t have as many people as needed”.

He said screening had been enhanced: “We have also, as of last Monday, strengthened our guidance to ensure anyone from a higher risk group who feels unwell will be reassessed.

“Advice will be immediately sought from an infectious disease specialist and the passenger will be referred for testing, if appropriate.”

Earlier, the charity Save the Children said “no stone will be left unturned” in its investigation into how Ms Cafferkey contracted the disease.

The charity’s Sierra Leone director, Rob MacGillivray, told the BBC the investigation would “ensure that we do everything, leave no stone unturned, to be able to as far as possible identify the source of this infection”.

-BBC news

SWIMMERS prepare to enter the water at Clevedon Marina, where dozens of people took part in a New Year’s Day swim at the Victorian seaside town in North Somerset, England. Picture: BBC

Study: Healthy obesity dosen’t last

MIAMI: People who are obese may appear healthy for a while but their condition declines over time, according to a study that followed more than 2500 people for 20 years.

The research by scientists at University College London is the longest of its kind, and its findings support previous research that has shown people who are overweight face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and some kinds of cancer than thin people as the years go on.

For the purposes of the research, “healthy obesity” was defined as not having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or other metabolic risk factors.

A total of 2521 men and women between the ages of 39 and 62 were followed for the study that measured their body mass index, cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance.

A total of 181 participants were initially classified as obese, including 66 who were considered “healthy obese”.

By the time the two decades had

passed, just over half of the healthy obese people had become unhealthy obese.

Only 11 per cent of those who were obese at the start of the study lost kilos and reached normal weight.

“A core assumption of healthy obesity has been that it is stable over time, but we can now see that healthy obese adults tend to become unhealthy obese in the long term, with about half making this transition over 20 years in our study,” said lead study author Joshua Bell.

“Healthy obesity is a high-risk state with serious implications for disease risk.”

Nearly 36 per cent of adults in the United States and nearly 25 per cent of adults in Britain are obese, according to estimates from government health authorities.

“Healthy obesity is only valid if it is stable over time, and our results indicate that it is often just a phase,” added Bell.

The research was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. -AAP news

Serious cycling keeps you young

LONDON: Not everyone can emulate Bradley Wiggins, but serious cycling may help to keep you young, scientists say.

A study of fit amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 found that many were physically and biologically much younger than most people of the same age.

The 81 male and 41 female participants underwent extensive tests of their heart, lung, neuromuscular, metabolic, and hormonal functions.

Their reflexes, muscle and bone strength, and oxygen uptake were

also measured, as well as mental ability and general health and wellbeing.

The results showed that among the cyclists the effects of ageing were far from obvious, with younger and older members of the group having similar levels of muscle strength, lung power and exercise capacity.

In one basic test of falling risk in older people the time taken to stand from a chair, walk three metres, turn, walk back and sit down was recorded.

-AAP news

NEW YEAR SWIMMERS

PAULINE Cafferkey

Roma baby finally buried in France

A ROMA baby has been buried in a French cemetery amid a row over the reported refusal by the mayor of a neighbouring town to grant her a grave.

The baby was buried in Wissous, south of Paris, after town of Champlan reportedly refused her burial.

On Sunday Champlan’s mayor denied this. An investigation has been launched.

The apparent refusal to bury the baby has sparked outrage. President Francois Hollande condemned those who “try to find an enemy within”.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls called the incident an “insult to France”.

The girl, Maria Francesca, was born in mid-October and died on 26 December of sudden infant death syndrome.

Anti-Islam group draws 18,000 to protest

PROTESTS in Germany against immigration and the influence of Islam have attracted the largest crowds in recent campaigns so far, with 18,000 attending a rally organised by a right-wing populist movement.

Ignoring calls from chancellor Angela Merkel to snub the street protests, police said the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident (PEGIDA) group drew 18,000 people in the eastern city of Dresden, up from the 17,500 that joined its last march in the city a few days before Christmas.

The movement began with just a few hundred followers

in October. A counter-demonstration in Dresden drew 3,000 people, police said.

An anti-Islamisation march in Cologne was called off because of strong local opposition. Its mayor, Juergen Roters, said many people are against the anti-immigration demonstrations.

“Today there is really a democratic sign being sent, and a lot of people in Cologne are expressing their opinion,” he said.

“They want to stress that we do not want to have anything to do with right-wing extremists and xenophobic people.”

Cologne’s landmark gothic cathedral dimmed its out-

door lights in a stand against PEGIDA, while Berlin turned off the lights at the Brandenburg Gate.

Instagram: PEGIDA demonstrations Brandenburg Gate

The city hall and other public and historic buildings in the western city followed suit, plunging the old town into darkness, in a similar protest act to that carried out by Dresden’s Semper Opera House last month.

Several thousand anti-PEGIDA protestors turned out in Cologne, some carrying placards stating “foreigner hatred is inhuman” or “shame for our country” while one held by supporters of the

group read “think of your children”.

Thousands also joined counter-demonstrations in several cities against PEGIDA, whose weekly protests have been condemned by church, business and political leaders.

Offshoot PEGIDA marches took place in the capital Berlin and Stuttgart, but appeared to be eclipsed by antiPEGIDA supporters.

In Berlin, more than 5,000 people rallied against PEGIDA compared to several hundred that gathered in support of the group, national news agency DPA reported.

Reports also said police in Stuttgart confirmed around

Putin critic cuts off tag in protest

RUSSIAN opposition leader Alexei Navalny has cut off his electronic tag in a protest against his house arrest.

He posted a picture of his severed tag on his blog, saying he rejected his “illegal detention” and that his sentencing for embezzlement had been illegally brought forward.

Navalny was given a suspended sentence for defrauding two firms in December.

He says the legal cases against him are motivated by his opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

Navalny has been under house arrest since February 2014.

In a statement on his blog he said: “I have no plans to travel anywhere, all I need in terms of movements is to be able to travel from home to the office and back, and spend my free time with my family.”

He wrote that he was “the only person in the history of the Russian judiciary” to remain under house arrest after being sentenced.

Navalny also said it had taken

“quite an effort” to remove the tag using kitchen scissors.

He added that “Article 107 [of the penal code] says clearly that such a restrictive measure [house arrest] only applies to people who are suspects or have been charged.”

Navalny was given a suspended prison sentence of three-and ahalf years on 30 December 2014. The verdict was brought forward by a month after his supporters announced their plan for a big protest rally in January.

Alexei Navalny has already protested over the court’s sentencing of his brother Oleg. His younger brother was given a custodial sentence for three-andhalf-years at the same trial.

Navalny is the most high-profile opposition figure in Russia and came second in Moscow’s mayoral election last year, with 27% of the vote. -BBC news

5,000 PEGIDA opponents had turned out there.

German justice minister

Heiko Maas joined the antiPEGIDA protest in Berlin, according to photos on his Twitter account, while the foreign ministry tweeted “there is no room for xenophobic agitation” in Germany.

Group aims to protect ‘Judeo-Christian’ values

The contested group called itself a grassroots movement and said in its manifesto that it aimed to protect “JudeoChristian” values and urges tolerance for integrated Muslims, while opposing “misogynist, violent” ideology.

-ABC news

The conservative mayor of Champlan, Christian Leclerc, was reported to have refused to bury her. He was quoted by Le Parisien newspaper as justifying the decision by saying that his town was running out of burial space and that “priority is given to those who pay local taxes”.

On Sunday he said his words had been “taken out of context”.

“At no stage was I opposed to this burial. It’s been blown out of proportion,” he told Agence France-Presse. He later said his words had been misrepresented, and apologised to the family.

But Jacques Toubon, France’s Defender of Human Rights, said he was “shocked and stunned” and announced an inquiry.

The mayor of Wissous, Richard Trinquier, had said he was flummoxed by the reported refusal, and that he would offer a grave, saying it was “a question of humanity”.

The Roma - often referred to as “gypsies” - are a nomadic people whose ancestors are thought to have left northwest India at the beginning of the 11th Century and scattered across Europe.

-BBC news

This Week’s Question. 208

Should the Government come out and explain the real status of the UBS loan?

Last Week’s Poll Question & Results as of Friday 12.12.2014.

Should Don Polye respect Belden Namah as the Opposition leader?

RUSSIAN opposition leader Alexei Navalny urged protesters to gather in Manezh Square near the Kremlin after his brother was sentenced to jail.

Around 2,000 people gathered with some continuing their protest through the night as the temperature dipped to minus 20C. Picture: BBC

FACE OFF IN PROTEST

Navalny posted a picture of severed monitoring tag on his

Boston bombing trial begins

JURY selection has begun in the trial of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tsarnaev appeared in federal court in Boston opposite a first group of 200 to 250 potential jurors as US District Judge George O’Toole briefly went over the charges against him.

He has pleaded not guilty to 30 charges related to the 2013 bombings which killed three people and wounded 264 at the end of the Boston Marathon.

Tsarnaev, 21, an ethnic Chechen who is a naturalised US citizen, faces the death penalty if convicted for what was the worst act of terror on US soil since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

With his older brother Tamerlan, Tsarnaev is alleged to have set the bombs that ripped through crowds gathered near the finish line as the race was ending.

Tamerlan was killed in a confrontation with police days after the attacks.

New York mayor rebukes police funeral snub

THE mayor of New York has rebuked hundreds of the city’s police officers who turned their backs on him as he spoke at the funerals of two officers.

Bill de Blasio said the public snubbing had been disrespectful to the families of the two men and to the city.

Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot dead last month by a gunman with a grievance against the police.

Many police have resented the mayor’s expressions of sympathy for anti-police protesters in recent months.

“Those individuals who took

certain actions the last two weeks, they were disrespectful to the families involved. That’s the bottom line,” Mr de Blasio told reporters at police headquarters.

“They were disrespectful to the families who lost their loved ones. I can’t understand why anyone would do such a thing in the context like that.”

Mr de Blasio also dismissed suggestions that police had been working to rule since the killing of the two officers.

He described the apparent fall-off in arrests and court appearances for minor offences as an aberration.

“I certainly don’t think a few very aberrant days suggest anything compared to what you see over the course of the whole year,” he said.

Mr de Blasio’s remarks were supported by New York’s police commissioner, William Bratton, who said that the officers who turned their backs on him had “embarrassed themselves”.

“The idea of what is effectively a labour action being taken in the middle of a funeral where we are honouring the death of two police officers - I just don’t understand it,” Mr Bratton said.

Speaking after the police-

men were shot, the head of the city’s largest police union, Patrick Lynch, hit out at the liberal mayor, saying there was “blood on many hands”. The shootings followed a wave of demonstrations over killings of unarmed black men by white police officers, beginning in the Missouri town of Ferguson last summer. There was anger in New York after a grand jury decided not to press charges against a white police officer over the death of unarmed black man Eric Garner, who was placed in a chokehold while being restrained by police officers.

Mr de Blasio had expressed solidarity with the protesters and had publicly wondered if his son, who is mixed-race, was safe from police.

Critics have argued that such rhetoric helped to create an environment that encouraged violence against police. The man who shot the two officers - Ismaaiyl Brinsley - killed himself in a subway station as police were closing in.

Brinsley, 28, had a history of violence and mental instability. On the day of the shooting, he went on social media to say he was planning to kill police officers. -BBC news

Judge O’Toole acknowledged the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will be aware of the incident, but reminded the group that their job during the three to four month trial would be to consider only the evidence presented in court.

“Mr Tsarnaev is charged in connection with events that occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 that resulted in the deaths of three people,” as well as with the fatal shooting of a police officer three days later, he said.

Judge O’Toole signaled that he would allow about three weeks for selection of the jury that will determine both Tsarnaev’s guilt and whether, if convicted, he will be sentenced to death.

He said opening statements would begin around January 26.

The large size of the jury pool, which has already been through an initial round of screening through surveys sent out by mail, reflects the intense interest in the case.

-ABC news

Lawyer takes legal action in Prince Andrew sex case

US lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who is accused of having sex with an underage girl in the case that also involves Prince Andrew, has begun legal action to clear his name.

The Duke of York and Mr Dershowitz were named in US court papers relating to the handling of a case against financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Both men deny the allegations.

Buckingham Palace says the sex claims against the duke are “without any foundation”.

Mr Dershowitz filed papers at a court in Florida, where the

case is being heard, to contest what he described as “absolutely outrageous claims”.

The former Harvard law professor has asked for his name to be removed from documents which accuse him and Prince Andrew of having sexual relations with Virginia Roberts, known in court as Jane Doe #3, who was under the age of consent in the US at the time of the alleged incidents.

In his submission to the court, Mr Dershowitz said he had been a victim of salacious allegations and wanted to take action to protect his reputa-

tion. Before his papers were filed, lawyers for the woman said they stood by their story and challenged Mr Dershowitz to provide any evidence that he believed would refute their allegations.

Mr Dershowitz has previously told the BBC: “My goal is to bring charges against the client and require her to speak in court. If she believes she has been hurt by me and Prince Andrew, she should be suing us for damages.

“I welcome that lawsuit. I welcome any opportunity that would put her under oath and

require her to state under oath these false allegations.”

The claims made against Mr Dershowitz and the prince were part of evidence submitted in a wider case involving Epstein.

Two women, whose names have not been revealed but are referred to as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, are suing the US government. They claim that it failed to protect their rights when it entered a plea deal with Epstein - who spent time in jail in 2008-9 for a sex offence with a minor.

-BBC news

BUCKINGHAM Palace has issued two statements to deny the claims made about Prince Andrew.

Picture: BBC

SOME officers turned their backs on Bill de Blasio as he addressed the funerals of the officers. Picture: BBC

SpaceX to try ocean platform landing

MIAMI: SpaceX aims to launch a new era in modern rocket science by landing a key part of its Falcon 9 rocket on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.

The California-based company headed by billionaire internet entrepreneur Elon Musk has given itself just a 50-50 chance of success in the bid to guide the powerful first stage of the rocket to a floating platform about 322km off the coast of northern Florida after launching from Cape Canaveral at 6.20am on Tuesday (2220 AEDT).

THOUSANDS

New Year’s Eve festivities, but this year security was tight as a protest took place nearby against police use of force and the state of race relations in the country. Picture: BBC

Son arrested in hedge fund chief’s murder

NEW YORK: A 30-year-old debt-ridden man has shot dead his tycoon father after an argument over the son’s allowance, US police say.

Thomas Gilbert Jr was arrested on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon over the death of Thomas Gilbert Sr, 70, a successful hedge fund founder. Police said Gilbert Jr went to his parents’ Manhattan apartment on Sunday afternoon and asked his mother to go out to get him some food. About 15 minutes later, she got a “bad feeling” and came back, said Robert Boyce, the chief of detectives for the New York Police Depart-

ment. “She found Senior on the floor with a bullet hole in the head,” Boyce said. “She also found a gun resting on his chest with his left hand covering it.”

But Boyce said it was a staged suicide - his son was trying to cover up the killing. Officers with a search warrant went to his apartment, where they found magazines, loose bullets and a shell that matched the gun found at the scene, police said.

Gilbert Jr was in debt and had argued with his father over his allowance, police said.

In 2011, the elder Gilbert founded Wainscott Capital

Partners Fund, which has $200 million in assets. Industry publication Hedge Fund Alert said in an August 2013 article that the fund had a net return of nearly 25 per cent in 2012. He was a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School.

Gilbert Jr also attended Princeton, graduating in 2009 with a degree in economics. Authorities said he had no recent work history.

Gilbert Sr worked on Wall Street for more than 40 years, according to his profile on Wainscott’s website, and he previously co-founded Syzygy Therapeutics, a biotech asset acquisition fund. He also was

Obamacare one year on

IF the Australian Government warns its citizens not to travel to the United States without private health insurance, imagine what it is like for those who live there without it.

“Medical costs in the United States are ... extremely high,” the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smart Traveller website warns.

“A visit to a doctor in the US for even minor complaints can cost several hundred dollars, excluding laboratory tests or medication costs.”

Magaly Zapata, an assistant nurse in Washington DC who earns $US9.50 an hour, said she was lucky her three now-adult children never really got sick while they were growing up.

“All the time I visited the doctor I have to pay the money from my pocket,” she said.

Picture: ABC/REUTERS

“We’d go to the pharmacy and [get] medication over the counter - that’s it.”

But four years ago she slipped at work, hit her head and ended up in hospital with a $US7,000 debt she is still paying off.

“They took an x-ray, the doctor checked what happened with

Picture:

founder and CEO of an online teacher-education company called Knowledge Delivery

me,” Ms Zapata said. “They took an MRI with my head. The doctor said you can’t work like that [for] two to three weeks because [my] knees [were] swelling, hands swelling and I was staying home.

“I’m making arrangementspaying monthly little bit, little bit.”

Under Obamacare - president Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms - Ms Zapata can get a monthly private health insurance plan worth $US499.97, for which she will pay just $US25.97.

“My heart is bumping more fast - this is something wonderful for me,” she said, clearly emotional when she signed up.

More than 10 million Americans have medical insurance under the Affordable Care Act which came into effect at the end of 2013.

-ABC news

Systems Inc. Wainscott had no immediate comment Monday. The hedge fund invests in biotechnology and health care stocks. The fund focuses on stocks traded on large exchanges like the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange, and the minimum amount for investors is $500,000.

The younger Gilbert has a pending criminal case in the town of Southampton, on eastern Long Island.

Gilbert was arrested September 18 on a charge of criminal contempt. Southampton town police say he violated an order of protection issued in Brooklyn in June.

-AAP news

But it hopes the effort, followed by more tries in the year ahead, will transform the rocket industry from one that creates parts worth millions of dollars that are left to fall into the ocean after blastoff, to one that reuses its assets much the way commercial airlines fly the same planes again and again.

“A fully and rapidly reusable rocket - which has never been done before - is the pivotal breakthrough needed to substantially reduce the cost of space access,” said a SpaceX statement.

“The odds of success are not great - perhaps 50 per cent at best. However this test represents the first in a series of similar tests that will ultimately deliver a fully reusable Falcon 9 first stage.”

The attempt will come after the Falcon 9 launches from NASA pad early on Tuesday, carrying the unmanned Dragon cargo vessel which is packed with supplies and equipment for the six astronauts living at the International Space Station.

The rocket will separate, as it usually does, allowing the second stage to continue propelling the spaceship to orbit.

-AAP news

This Week’s Question.

Do you think alcohol be banned in PNG during this Christmas period?

Last Week’s Poll Question & Results as of Friday 12.12.2014.

25.00%

of people celebrated in New York’s Times Square for the city’s annual

NEW YEAR UNLIKE BEFORE

THOMAS Gilbert Jr, in a mugshot issued after a separate arrest for a minor offence in September.

BBC

A MAN reads a pamphlet at a health insurance enrolment event in California.

Guatemala ex-dictator faces genocide trial

GUATEMALA CITY:

Guatemala’s former dictator Efrain Rios Montt has been hauled to court on a stretcher to attend his retrial on genocide charges after the judge rejected his request for sick leave.

Judge Jeannette Valdez ordered police to fetch the 88-year-old former ruler, who is accused of ordering the army to massacre 1771 Ixil Maya Indians during Guatemala’s brutal civil war.

Rios Montt, who ruled Guatemala with an iron fist in the early 1980s, was sentenced in 2013 to 80 years in prison for genocide and war crimes, but the country’s Constitutional Court threw out the conviction on procedural grounds and ordered a retrial.

After Valdez rejected his request to be tried in absentia, saying medical documents did not indicate his health problems were high-risk, Rios Montt was brought into court on a stretcher with his face covered.

Dozens of indigenous protesters gathered outside to call for a new guilty verdict, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu.

The trial was scheduled to begin Monday morning, but even after Rios Montt’s forced appearance, defence lawyers stalled with a last-

Two charged over foiled coup

TWO US citizens have been charged with taking part in a failed coup to overthrow the Gambian government last month, federal prosecutors have announced.

The botched effort ended with some of the attackers being killed and others fleeing the small West African country.

ditch effort to persuade the judge to let their client stay home.

Rios Montt has been under house arrest in an upscale neighbourhood in the east of the capital, where he must be under “absolute rest”, according to his lawyer Luis Rosales.

He ruled Guatemala from March 1982 to August 1983, as the small Central American country struggled with a bloody civil war pitting successive right wing regimes against leftist rebels. Rios Montt and his former intelligence chief, Jose Rodriguez, are charged with ordering the army to carry out 15 massacres of Ixil Maya indigenous people in Quiche in northern Guatemala.

During the war, indigenous Guatemalans were often accused of supporting the rebels. Rodriguez was acquitted in the initial trial.

The pair now face a new trial over the dictatorship’s scorched-earth policy.

Arriving at court in a wheelchair, Rodriguez said he was confident the retrial would clear his name.

“I want to put an end to this humiliation, this circus put together by NGOs that live off the conflict and international pressure,” he told AFP.

Mexico ex-mayor’s wife charged

THE wife of the former mayor of the Mexican city where 43 students went missing has been charged with organised crime and money laundering.

Prosecutors say Maria de los Angeles Pineda’s brothers were in a drug gang that operated in Iguala, Guerrero.

They said police handed the students over to the drug gang after clashes in September. The gang then killed them and burned their bodies. Maria Pineda

PROSECUTORS Mexico

and her husband Jose Luis Abarca were arrested in November. He has been charged with organised crime, kidnapping and

murder. The students’ disappearance sparked nationwide protests and has rocked the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Prosecutors said that members of the drug gang linked to Maria Pineda had confessed that her husband, the ex-mayor of Iguala, had ordered the police to crack down on the students to stop them disrupting an event she was speaking at. –www.bbc.com.uk

The men, Cherno Njie, 57, of Austin, Texas, and Papa Faal, 46, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, were part of a ring of approximately a dozen co-conspirators who agreed to participate in the coup that turned bloody, according to a criminal complaint.

In an interview with the FBI, Faal admitted playing a role in the coup and identified Njie, a businessman, as one of the leaders and main financiers of the plot, the complaint alleges. Faal told the FBI that Njie intended to serve as the interim leader of the country after they deposed of 49-year-old Yahya Jammeh, the president of Gambia.

Jammeh seized power in the country in 1994 after a military coup and has gained attention for a series of eccentric claims, including that he has discovered the cure for AIDS.

The criminal complaint said that Faal was invited to join the group of conspirators in August. He agreed because he was disenchanted with the way “the president was rigging elections” and was worried about the “plight of the Gambian people”.

Their group’s goal was to restore democracy to the small country through a peaceful coup, the complaint says. About 160 members of the Gambian military had supposedly agreed to join them.

Njie had hoped to persuade the commander of the Gambian army to stand down and support him, the Justice Department said.

Njie is a US citizen; Faal is a dual citizen of Gambia and the US. –stuff.co.nz

Baby kidnapped and dumped after parents shot

A 3-WEEK-OLD baby was kidnapped and dumped in a bin in the US after her parents were shot, an incident that has brought exclamations of disbelief and horror from friends as well as police.

A transient found Eliza Delacruz dead in a rubbish bin behind an Imperial Beach restaurant in San Diego County on Sunday.

The baby was kidnapped the day before and her

mother, father and uncle shot. Authorities, who are investigating, say it was not a random act.

“There are no words to describe it,” said Aaron Cruz, who lives two doors down from the family in Long Beach, California.

Kneeling before a chain link fence on Monday (local time), Cruz lit four candles in memory of his best friend’s baby. He held his lighter to three pillars depicting

the Virgin Mary, then to a white prayer candle of San Antonio, the patron saint of the lost.

“Everyone is in shock still that this happened to our friend,” he said.

Officials said the baby’s body was found in a plastic bag amid rubbish in a bin just off a freeway near the Mexico border. Most neighbours were tight-lipped, but some wondered why the abductor was headed south.

“Poor thing,” one woman said as she pushed a stroller past the Delacruz family’s cordoned-off door. “What could she have been guilty of?”

The girl’s mother and uncle remained in critical but stable condition at area hospitals. The father was treated and released, officials said. He spent Monday morning at his girlfriend’s side, according to Cruz.

–www.stuff.co.nz

Baby camels are born without humps, they are however able to run within hours of birth.

MARIA de los Angeles Pineda was transferred to a federal prison in western Mexico. Picture: BBC

“The gang then killed them and burned their bodies...

MR Rios Montt arrived at his retrial on a stretcher.Picture:BBC

THE body of 3-week-old Eliza Delacruz was found in a rubbish bin. Picture: stuff.co.nz

Solution to puzzle SL0824

stars

March 20 - April 19

In late December, the focused Saturn moved into the restless, inquisitive Sagittarius. While you’re by no means narrow-minded, its presence there will corner you into exploring ideas and possibly even going places that previously you’d never have considered. Knowing that, waste no time arguing. The sooner you get involved, the more you’ll learn.

April 20 - May 19

If you trust those who’re making decisions, you’re happy to leave things to them. However, recent discussions left you with many questions about their ability to assess the situation in question. Address your concerns frankly. Once you’re talking these over, you’ll be surprised how quickly and easily these can be dealt with.

May 21 - June 20

There’s making decisions. And then there are lasting decisions. Others are eager to organise their lives, so are pressing you for information about your plans, which remain unclear. Instead of avoiding the whole thing, make joint arrangements. Still, ensure the individuals in question understand changes aren’t just likely, they’re inevitable.

June 21 - July 21

Good fortune can appear in many ways. With the bountiful Jupiter blessing the portion of your chart that accents your resources, both in material terms and what you’re owed, certain arrangements are likely to prove unexpectedly profitable. While some might need encouragement, others will come from out of the blue.

July 22 - August 22

When you commit, you do it wholeheartedly. As a Leo, living or loving halfway seems a compromise. Yet you’re being encouraged to do exactly that, at least until you know a bit more about one particular situation. This ensures that when you make a decision, it will be a wise one.

August 23 - September 22

If you’ve misjudged circumstances so plans fall apart, that’s one thing. But if your thinking is clear and things don’t work out, you not only get annoyed, because you’re both thorough and cautious, you worry how you got things so wrong. If you did, don’t blame yourself, but instead learn from any mistakes.

September 23 - October 22

Recent difficult situations put everybody on edge and some are still a bit uptight. While you’ve taken that into account, certain individuals aren’t as observant. You could try to explain what’s behind these tensions. But it’s probably easier, and wiser, to suggest any discussions wait until the mood’s calmer.

October 23 - November

While it was only a week ago that the stern Saturn departed Scorpio, after two years in your sign, you’re bound to notice some changes. Many have to do with your mood, which isn’t just more relaxed, you’re less concerned about sudden developments causing problem. That productive but challenging cycle is over.

November 23 - December

Giving up on longstanding plans or, worse, arrangements you’re passionate about, wouldn’t just be disappointing. It would seem a compromise. However, these are flawed. You know about this but are hoping they won’t matter. Or, perhaps, you’re unaware of these problems. Tackle and remedy these now and you’ll save the day.

December 21 - January

Often you’ve witnessed others get involved in ventures while short of facts, then struggle with the results. Being a practical Capricorn, you insist on knowing what’s involved. Actually, sudden intriguing developments give you no choice but to plunge in. Risky as this seems, if you don’t act swiftly, opportunities will simply vanish.

January 20 - February

There’s been a great deal of change going on around you but, thankfully, it hasn’t disrupted your life. Still, it’s becoming increasingly clear you’ll need to alter certain longstanding elements of your daily routine. Annoying as this is, deep down you admit there are better ways things could be done.

February

- March

When it comes to tricky situations that involve already temperamental individuals, timing is everything. Gather your facts and think carefully about how best to address these issues. Then back off. Say nothing. Instead, allow these matters to surface when, and as, they do. Whenever it is, you’ll be prepared.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

Death Notice

Late John Gordon Jeffery, CBE

On behalf of the Executive, staff and members of the Employers’ Federation of PNG, we convey our sincere condolences to wife Lucy and children Jane, Lissa, Therese and Jason of late John ‘JJ’ Jeffery who passed away on Thursday 1st January 2015 at Robina Hospital in Australia.

John’s 26-year association with the Federation began in 1986 when he arrived in PNG as the General Manager of James Barnes PNG in Madang. In 1989 John was elected to the Executive Committee and served as the Federations’ President from 1999 – 2010.

John’s service to PNG also included co-founding the Manufactures Council of PNG, Chairman of Nasfund and Board Directorships with Bank South Pacific, City Pharmacy and Airlines PNG.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of Papua New Guinea business and community, John was invested as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013.

John will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by friends and associates throughout PNG but especially in Madang and Port Moresby where he was an active member of a number of social clubs.

John’s life will be celebrated on Thursday 8th January at 12:30pm at Somerville Chapel, Nerang, Queensland.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”

Psalms 23:4

May his soul rest in Eternal Peace

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Vessel For sale

Charter/Research/Oil & Gas/Coastal Trading Vessel Steel 22.6m motor vessel in current NMSA survey Huge deck space, accommodation for 20 including crew.

Twin gensets, V12 cat main. In excellent condition, ready for work. Located Kavieng. P.O.A.

ASSISTANT

A Self-starter is required to continue with the management of Property Rental Billing and collections along with the control of the Trust account.

The person must be well versed in Console Real Estate Software, understand the Real Estate Industry.

Previous experience is a must for this Position.

Terms and conditions will be discussed with

Death Notice

BARRICK (NIUGINI) LIMITED

Managers of the Porgera Joint Venture

Barrick Gold Corporation is an international company with a portfolio of 19 operating mines and 7 exploration projects located across 5 continents offering global and equal opportunities with a vision to be the world’s best gold mining company by finding, acquiring and producing quality reserves in a safe, profitable and socially responsible manner.

Barrick (Niugini) Limited, the Manager of the Porgera Joint Venture now have vacancies for qualified and enthusiastic individuals for the following position:

OFFICER – NATIONAL RECRUITMENT

Reporting to the Supervisor – Recruitment, this position exists within the Human Resources Department and will join the team responsible for National Recruitment.

Late Loi Helen Lahui Tau (nee Dou )

August 31, 1941 to January 03, 2015

Mr.Lahui Tau & Family, would like to inform family and friends of Passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother & Great grandmother; Late Mrs Loi Helen Lahui Tau (nee Dou).

Loving wife of Mr Lahui Tau and beloved mother of Late Miriam, Ranu, Ruga, John, Mea, Heau, Lahui jnr & Vali Tau.

Funeral Service

Friday 09th Jan 2015 @ 3pm Body departs from Funeral Home to Gabagaba Village

Saturday 10th Jan 2015 Funeral Service at Gabagaba United Corp. Church Body to be Laid to Rest.

Followed by refreshments and Lahidairi at Mr Lahui Tau’s resident (Orange Haus).

For more information please contact; John Tau 73752192 Lahui Tau jnr 72832248

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of PNG Ports Corporation Limited, Mr. Stanley Alphonse, the Chief Executive Officer, would like to convey our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the wife Margaret and children Pedro, Lincoln, Lowayne, Talitha and Solomon and extended family of the Late Joachim Olime; who passed away on 22 December 2014, after a short illness.

Late Joachim Olime (Born: 03 Dec 1948) from Kamanimbit village, East Sepik Province, joined PNG Ports on 02 January 1989 and was based at Lae Port as a Marine Pilot In-Charge until he left the Company on 10 March 2012.

May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. STANLEY ALPHONSE Chief Executive Officer

Job Responsibilities; compiling contracts and conducting inductions).

dealings with internal and external customers.

The ideal candidate must have;

communicate freely with all levels within the organisation.

If you possess the ambition and drive to build a career with Barrick Gold Corporation, forward your application and resume before the 16th January, 2015 to: The Human Resources Superintendent Porgera Joint Venture, P.O Box 484, Mt. Hagen, WHP or Email: PHRCoordinator@ barrick.com or Fax: 547 8102; Phone: 547 8912 or 545 3056.

operation working on a 21 days on 14 days off roster.

That’s what you want!

309 1160

309 1168

309 1102

309 1074

3091088 3091174

3091175

Seeking Christian Dentist with diploma in dental therapy or similar from recognized institution. Pay per AHW award. Submit: professional CV, Christian testimony, and Pastor’s reference to:

Kudjip Nazarene Hospital PO Box 456 Mt. Hagen, WHP 281or NazareneHospital@gmail.com

Our client, is one of PNG’s largest and most successful private sector organizations with its head office based in Port Moresby and operations throughout the country. Its current and future growth and development opportunities have been significantly enhanced by the PNG LNG project and a number of significant major resource projects currently underway or planned. The organization is currently undergoing a major revitalization of the services it offers to meet these major challenges and to develop the capacity of its workforce to deliver high quality service to all stakeholders. The organization is committed to attracting the highest calibre of professionals who can make a difference to the organization and provides a positive work environment which rewards employees who contribute to business success.

The following vacancy currently exists for a qualified and experienced professional to fill this senior management role.

ICT Manager

The organization sees IT as one of the key drivers to improving its business and needs the best professional available within the IT market who is looking for the challenge to make this a reality.

Based at its Head Office and reporting to the Chief Finance Officer the position is responsible for developing and directing the organization’s overall ICT strategy and managing the acquisition, development, implementation and continuous improvement of Information and Communication Technology infrastructure that supports the organization’s operations and helps to achieve its goals and objectives.

Key Functions and Responsibilities:

and satisfy all operational requirements.

documentation, implementation and regular review of ICT operational policies, procedures and processes to maintain and continually improve network and systems performance and quality standards. monitor its performance against agreed objectives.

satisfied.

and equipped to fully discharge all areas of responsibility at a competent level.

Work and Team Work and Co-operation standards are promoted and maintained to the highest possible standards.

Essential Competencies

Post Graduate qualifications are desirable. or equivalent. protocols and standards. human resource management principles, practices and procedures. user friendly language.

infrastructure planning and development, problem solving of complex business issues and concerns and the ability to resolve complex ICT issues.

Our client offers genuine professional career challenges and opportunities and competitive salary and conditions for this senior management position.

This position is open to PNG citizen and non-citizen applicants. To apply, please visit our website: http://www.vanguardpng.com/current_vacancies.php

Lihir Gold, a member of the Newcrest Mining Limited, operates the world class Lihir gold mine located on the tropical island of Lihir and provides residents with a peaceful and secure lifestyle. Fly-in, Fly-out employees enjoy a 15 day on 13 day off roster and are accommodated in well-appointed camps which include full dining, laundry services, and a modern medical centre. We are currently seeking a suitably qualified and highly motivated candidate for the following position:

Serviceman

RR 2188

Reporting to the Fleet Services Supervisor the successful candidates will be responsible for servicing and carrying minor maintenance of all heavy equipment in accordance with safe working procedures and in compliance with manufacturers’ specifications.

Key elements of the role will include: house-keeping is practised to provide a safe and clean working environment. improvement initiatives in the work place.

The successful candidate will have: in a heavy equipment maintenance environment.

Senior HR Advisor - Recruitment

Newcrest Mining Limited – Lihir Operations PO Box 789, Port Moresby NCD

Fax: 986 5424

RecruitPNG@newcrest.com.au

www.newcrest.com.au

The Miner of Choice

Lihir Gold, a member of the Newcrest Mining Limited, operates the world class Lihir gold mine located on the tropical island of Lihir and provides residents with a peaceful and secure lifestyle. Fly-in, Fly-out employees enjoy a 15 day on 13 day off roster and are accommodated in well-appointed camps which include full dining, laundry services, and a modern medical centre. We are currently seeking a suitably qualified and highly motivated candidate for the following position:

Senior Product & Surveillance Advisor

RR 2183

Reporting to Superintendent ERT and Security, the successful candidate will be responsible supervision of detecting and preventing company asset theft through operating and monitoring of all CCTV cameras, alarm systems within LGL. To prevent loss and damage to NML assets and to ensure the safety and protection of all employee and NML contractor personnel through surveillance and monitoring.

Key elements of the role include:

surveillance team

maintenance and inspection schedules.

constant state of readiness

investigated accordingly

The successful candidate will have:

Applications close on Friday 30th January , 2015

will be contacted. Conditions of employment will be discussed at the interview.

Senior HR Advisor - Recruitment Newcrest Mining Limited - Lihir Operations PO Box 789. Port Moresby. NCD

Fax: 986 5424

E-mail: RecruitPNG@newcrest.com.au www.newcrest.com.au

The Miner of Choice

Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea Review of Enabling Legislation Public Notice

The Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea wishes to inform the general public that it is reviewing two (2) of its principal legislation that is the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibities of Leadership and Organic Law on Ombudsman Commission.

The Commission is now distributing a Discussion Paper to gather feedback from the public as part of this review. The paper is to consider ways to review the current responsibilities and powers of OC and comes with a series of questions on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commission.

Your feedback will assist develop a policy proposal to improve the work of the Commission.

Call into our Head Office at Deloitte Tower in Port Moresby or visit our Regional Offices in Mt Hagen, Lae and Kokopo to get a copy of the Discussion Paper.

Interested parties are invited to comment on this paper by writing to

The Ombudsman Commission PNG P.O Box 1831, PORT MORESBY NCD

Visit our website at www.ombudsman.gov.pg or Email legreview@ombudsman.gov.pg

For more information contact the Legislative Review Coordinator on 308 2635 or 308 2600

Authorised by: Joseph Molita Secretary to the Commission

PUBLIC NOTICE

Land Groups Incorporation (Amended) Act 2009

NOTICE OF LODGEMENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION AS AN INCORPORATED

LAND GROUP

File No: 18167

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 to be known by the name of

ARUTU TATANA LAND GROUP INCORPORATED

The said group claims the following qualifications for recognition as an incorporated land group

1) Its members belong to Arutu Tatana Clan in Tatana 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 Motu Koita Local Level Government, National Capital District.

4) Chairman- IGO OALA- BEM/ML

Deputy Chairman- KATO UDIA

Property Description

1. Arutu Portion 3327C

Dated this 01st day of December 2014

IRUNA G. ROGAKILA

Registrar of Incorporated Land Groups

Note: A person(s) a 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 thereof not to register this land group in accordance with Section 6 of ILG (Amended) Act 2009.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Land Groups Incorporation (Amended) Act 2009

NOTICE OF LODGEMENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION AS AN INCORPORATED LAND GROUP File No: 18169

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 to be known by the name of ARUTU BARUNI LAND GROUP INCORPORATED

The said group claims the following qualifications for recognition as an incorporated land group

1) Its members belong to Arutu Baruni Clan in Baruni Village.

2) Its members regard themselves and a

INVESTMENT PROMOTION AUTHORITY

Papua New Guinea Associations Incorporation Act

Reg.,Sec.2. Form 1

Notice of Intention to Apply for the Incorporation of an Association

I, Auri ILIVIRO, of Erima Settlement, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea person authorized by the committee of the association known as NCD POULTRY FARMERS ASSOCIATION INC. 5-101307 give notice that intend to apply for the incorporation of the association under the Associations Incorporation Act.

The following are the details of the prescribed qualifications for the incorporation as specified in Section 2 of the Act.

(a) The association is being formed for the purpose of:

i. To be recognized as a registered body representing the poultry farmers in NCD.

ii. To be included in any or future market planning and in any allocation of proper market for poultry products.

iii. To provide training and necessary technical assistants to the poultry farmers in NCD.

iv. To supply healthy and quality poultry products to the consumers in NCD & Central on a daily basis.

(b) The association will apply its profits (if any) or other income in promoting its objects; and

(c) The association will prohibit the payment of any dividend or payment in the nature of a dividend to its members.

Dated this 5th January of, 2015

This Notice has been approved by the Registrar of Companies.

Dated 06/01/2015.

The validation code for this Notice is ASSOCAITION22795983. To check the validity of this Notice enter http://www.ipa.gov.pg/pngassociations/verify/ 5-101307/ASSOCIATION-22795983.html in your browser.

Notice generated 06 January 2015 10:55 AM PGT

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.

TOWN DRIVER

Eastwest Transport is the largest transport company operating throughout Papua New Guinea. We have a strong focus on health and safety and take pride in professionalism and customer service.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values employee contribution by offering above award rates and conditions.

Responsibilities include:

Applicants for this position must have:-

New Britain Palm Oil Limited Milne Bay seeks to appoint a trade qualified, self motivated, resourceful and dedicated Heavy Equipment Fitter Supervisor to its Vehicle Workshop Department Team, with the above position based at Hagita, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Those outside of the province are encouraged to apply as the future opportunities in the industry are unfathomable.

The successful applicant will report to the Senior Superintendent and liaise with the Head of Department and will have the following responsibilities:

• Efficient and successful preventative maintenance KPI’s conducive to maximum productivity.

• Ability to direct and manage a crew of fitters maintaining a disciplined and flexible demeanor.

• Be able to meet deadlines and achieve targets while watching the bottom line.

• Some experience with Pronto CMS and parts protocol would be an advantage.

• Be proficient in Komatsu VCAD software and other models including CAT.

• Effectively supervise team to ensure efficient use of resources and enhance cost-effectiveness;

• Ensure the safety of all team members and adherence to company safety and sustainability policies;

Requirements:

• Minimum of five (5) years hands-on working experience in Heavy Equipment Fitting.

• Experience in a Supervisor role but all candidates are encouraged to apply if they think they have what it takes.

• Trade certificate in Heavy Equipment Fitting and able to work unsupervised.

• HEF experience with CAT, Komatsu, LiuGong, XCMG in all fields.

• The ability to read and write English with sound communication skills.

• A strong willingness to be part of a succession based company.

• Excellent technical skills, planning and organization.

• An ability to live and work in a challenging, but very rewarding environment.

Benefits include:

• Generous hourly wage.

• Free company provided housing.

• Free electricity.

• Free access to company health clinic and medicines.

• Uniform, boots and employee of the month awards.

• A company that cares about your future and that of your families.

• Sustainable environmentally conscious company.

To apply for this position please forward a detailed resume with supporting documents to:-

The Administration Department Milne Bay Estates PO Box 36

Milne Bay Province

Papua New Guinea Fax: 675 641 1324

Email: mberecruitment@nbpol.com.pg

Applications for this position close on ………30/1/2015…………..

We thank those applying and advise that only shortlisted applicants will be notified to attend an interview. (Salary and other terms & conditions will be discussed during interview with the successful candidates).

To apply please send your CV to East West Transport PO Box 290 Lae. MP. 411 Attention:

Operations Manager

Closing Date: 14/01/2015

Higginbotham joins exodus of Wallabies

RUGBY UNION

WALLABIES flanker and Melbourne Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham will join the Aussie exodus post the 2015 World Cup and move to play in Japan.

Higginbotham, who joined the Rebels from the Queensland Reds in 2013, took over the captaincy last season after the departure of Welsh International Gareth Delve.

The 28-year-old, who has 31 Wallaby caps, will play out the 2015 Super Rugby season in the hope of World Cup selection before heading to play in Japan.

Higginbotham, who was off contract with the Rebels at the end of this season, stressed that his focus remained purely on matters in Melbourne, and Australia, for the upcoming season.

“I love the Rebels`, and I also love every opportunity to play for my country; I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities I have been given in Australia,” Higginbotham said.

“I’m so excited for the season ahead with the Rebels and the Wallabies, and all the success to be had in 2015.”

Higginbotham joins the likes of fellow Wallabies James Horwill and Adam Ashley Cooper who have already announced their intention to play overseas after the World Cup.

Oliver to bring Mystic Puzzle home today

HORSE RACING

IT’S not too often Canberrabased trainer Matthew Dale heads to Victoria.

But when he does he invariably employs the services of one of Melbourne’s top jockeys.

With Unanimously set to resume at Flemington in the Listed Kensington Stakes on Saturday, Dale has secured

Craig Williams. Damien Oliver will ride Mystic Puzzle in the MiStable Handicap at Sandown on Wednesday.

Oliver leads Dwayne Dunn by one win in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership after hitting the front on Calming Influence at Flemington on January 1.

Suspensions and trips to Perth and Mauritius for an

international jockeys’ series slowed Oliver’s momentum, but the seven-time Scobie Breasley Medal winner is now back riding in top form.

Mystic Puzzle is one of six rides for Oliver on Wednesday before he heads to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions meeting on Saturday.

A former member of the late Guy Walter’s stable, Mystic Puzzle has had three starts

since joining Dale’s Canberra yard. Her best performance has been a close second on her home track sandwiched between fourths at Warwick Farm and Rosehill.

With 25 horses in work, Dale doesn’t travel to Victoria all that often but believes the five-year-old is well placed on Wednesday.

“She’s in good form and

she looks quite well placed,”

Dale said. Mystic Puzzle was a last-start fourth on a heavy track at Rosehill on December 12 after finishing second at Canberra on November 28.

Dale won’t venture to Sandown on Wednesday and will entrust the care of Mystic Puzzle to his foreman but he intends to make the trip to Flemington to watch Unanimously run.

Nick Cummins will also return to Japan after playing this season with the Western Force in the hope of earning World Cup selection for the Wallabies.

Rebels coach Tony McGahan said Higginbotham’s departure would leave a big hole in what was a young line-up. “Scott will be missed,” McGahan said.

“However his departure at the end of the 2015 season provides an exciting opportunity for the next young Rebels player to push through in back row positions.

Debate over NRL jail-birds’ admission

RUGBY LEAGUE

OPINION is divided as to whether Danny Wicks and Russell Packer should be admitted back into the NRL following stints in jail for drug trafficking and assault respectively.

We debate the issue.

If a crime is serious enough to land a player in jail, surely that’s as good a place as any to draw the line when it comes to second chances.

Only this kind of hard line stance can stop clubs from playing their part as enablers

in poor behaviour. It has been fascinating to watch interest grow around clubland as Russell Packer’s prison release crept closer and Danny Wicks’ NRL suspension came to an end.

Professional sports organisations are in the business of winning. They’ll do almost anything to get a competitive advantage. If that means signing a player who punched and stomped on a man’s head in Martin Place or another who pleaded guilty to three counts of supply for trafficking 150 ecstasy tablets and more than

20 grams of methylamphetamine, so be it. It’s not good enough.

Slick marketing campaigns and made-for-media school visits are well and good, but are they worth anything if not backed up with words and deeds outside of the photo ops?

How many times can the NRL say it wants to win our hearts and minds when its players can’t abide by our society’s black-and-white laws around illegal drugs and physical assaults?

The NRL has not yet indi-

cated whether Packer will be allowed to play in 2015 or at any time afterwards, but at the very least there’s an insinuation that after certain rehabilitation requirements are met, the former Warriors enforcer will be allowed to wear the Red V.

Indeed, St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has done an excellent job exerting pressure on the NRL to allow Packer to return to the game by playing the sympathy card.

“There’s no tougher penalty than being away from your family for 12 months .

The Grand National has been won more times by horses whose names begin with R than any other letter.

DAMIEN Oliver to ride Mystic Puzzle in today’s MiStable Handicap at Sandown.

DANNY Wicks and Russell Packer are both set for NRL returns after jail sentences

SCOTT Higginbotham

PNG Sevens to toughen up in Fiji

FROM BACK PAGE

“HOWEVER, as the best component of Rugby 7’s in the region, Fiji offers the best possible facilities and resources that can help prepare the boys (Pukpuks) well for the challenges to b e faced at Wellington.

“Fiji’s ranking at the world stage speaks for itself regarding the kind of resources it has to offer.”

“Expense wise it is also very cheap.

“The Head Coach Fereti Verebula, being a Fijian himself is also a bonus for the team.

“His alignment in Fiji and the resources available to him over there will no doubt be a booster.”

Hobie Cat squad ends training in Sydney

SAILING

THE PNG Hobie Cat sailing squad has successfully completed a month long training camp in Sydney from 9 November to 7 December 2014.

The camp, organised by team Coach Upu Kila Snr, was part of the preparations for the Oceania Games which will be held in Port Moresby in June 2015.

The main objective of the camp was to give the squad experience in actual regatta events sailing against world class sailors. The PNG Olympic Committee bought two used boats for squad training, while Upu Snr used his own boat during the camp.

The squad competed in the NSW Hobie Cat State Titles and the Palm Beach Sailing Club’s Bullets Regatta.

There are three teams in the training squad. PNG1 is skippered by coach Upu Kila Snr with crew Upu Kila Jnr. PNG2, skippered by Navu Charley with crew Harry Haro and PNG3 skippered by Boisen Numa, with crew David John.

The Bullets Regatta was held on Pittwater on Sydney in 12 to 15 knots of wind. Sailing on Pittwater is very tricky, with teams having to use all their skills to pick the right course. There were sixteen boats competing in the regatta, which included current and

former world, national and state champions and the PNG squad sailed well.

PNG1 placed 3rd overall, PNG2 was 6th and PNG3 11th. For the NSW Hobie Cat State Titles, Upu made some changes to individual teams to broaden their experience. Teams swapped boats to give the teams experience at rigging and tunning boats other than their own, which they may do in the Pacific Games.

In the NSW State Titles Upu Jnr crewed for Navu Charley and Harry Haro sailed with Upu Snr. These changes also meant that two PNG boats competed in youth group as part of the titles. Navu and Upu Jnr

missed out on 2nd place in the youth group because they were disqualified in one race for jumping the start.

In the Open division out of 23 boats competing, PNG1 sailed by Upu Snr and crew Harry, placed 6th; PNG2 with Navu and Upu Jnr, placed 9th and PNG3 sailed by Boisen and David, placed 18th.

Coach Upu was very pleased with the race results which also highlighted the areas the squad need to work on to improve their results over the next six months. The camp went a long way to building team confidence and helping the crews realise the importance of their individual roles as part of each team. Upu Snr

said that PNGOC Justification Committee wants to pick the best possible teams.

This will happen a few weeks before the games depending on the predicted wind conditions.

The two PNG boats will be shipped to PNG in January so that the squad can continue their training in Port Moresby.

The team, including coach Upu Snr, wish to thank the PNG Yachting and Boating Association, the PNG Olympic Committee and also team manager Karen Krause for all their help and support in organising the squad’s travel to Sydney for this training camp.

Recently qualifying for the World Circuit Series at the Oceania 7’s in Noosa, Australia last year after a ten year absence, expectations are high for the Pukpuks.

Rapilla said recent quality international exposure for the Pukpuks has hardened them and with the training program, the team is expected to perform well in Wellington.

“We realize the Wellington 7’s is a big step up from Noosa, but we expect to do a lot better than what has been done in the past.”

“It will be a challenge because of the weather and the stage the world sevens series circuit is at the moment, but we are up to the challenge.”

Returning from Fiji on January 26, a final 12 men team will be named for the Wellington 7’s Tournament.

The squad: Terence Uvau, Karo Kauna Jnr, Wesley Vali, Max Vali, Henry Liliket, Eugene Tokavai, David Susuve, Hensely Peter, Arthur Clement, Leo Tikot Jnr, Butler Morris, Hubert Tsereha, Clint Kut, Dondon Xavier, Henry Kalua, Stanis Susuve.

The new caps are Kauna Jr, Kut and David Susuve.

OFC delegates to get first hand look at city

SOCCER BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

THE staging of the 23rd Oceania Football Congress (OFC) today is two-fold, says president David Chung.

“Firstly it is an elective congress where the OFC member associations will vote in the president and the executive committee for the next four years amongst the agenda items,” Chung said.

Chung is the current PNGFA president and is standing again to regain the OFC president’s seat for a second term.

However while members of the

The bottom line

10 Oceania member association countries, plus OFC and FIFA officials are in Port Moresby, they will be given a preview of what visitors to the Pacific Games in July can expect.

“I guess it is more educational than anything else to allow our members to get a first-hand look for themselves,” he said.

Chung said the first thing a lot of people say when they talk about PNG is the problems and issues that always seem to give a bad impression. “If we can change a few people’s mind-sets over the next few days then we have at least done our bit to encourage visitors

to come to PNG,” he said.

He said following the congress the members will be taken on a tour of the Pacific Games venues and obviously to give confidence in them that the venues, in particularly for soccer will be ready.

When asked about his achievements as president, Chung said stability, the building of facilities and the beginning of development programs including junior and elite programs have come to the fore. “We have set the foundation, achieved stability, managed to build of facilities and the development of junior and elite football programs and coaching

programs,” he said.

“It’s a matter of moving forward and polishing the foundation set,” he added. Chung said football for PNG will grow regionally with the development of facilities.

“Kimbe, Lae, and Bougainville will see better facilities including floodlights, pitch and in the Highlands,” he added.

“Clearance is needed by the Prime Minister as he has agreed principally to give us land in Ialibu, once that is cleared a football facility will be built,” he added.

The OFC Congress will begin at 9am this morning at the Grand Papua Hotel.

The oldest rugby club in the world is Dublin University Football Club. Founded in 1854

MEMBERS of the PNG Hobie Cat sailing squad during one of their training stints in Sydney last month.

DAVID Chung and Korean FA president Chunbg Mong-Gyu (right)

East Asia-Pacific here to win

CRICKET

EAST Asia-Pacific hasn’t made the long trek to Bendigo just to make up the numbers at this week’s Australian Country Cricket Championships, according to assistant coach Shane Jurgensen.

Made up of players from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, EAP is seen as the rank outsider against traditional cricket centres from regional Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.

Jurgensen, who played first class cricket with Queensland, Tasmania, WA and Sussex, said the EAP squad has the potential to surprise the Australian teams this week.

“There’s a few boys here that will surprise a lot of people this week,’’ Jurgensen said after putting the EAP players through a fielding session at

Tennis star begins quest to become pro

TENNIS

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

WINNER of the 2014 SP

Sports Woman of the Year, 22year-old Abigail Tere-Apisah is preparing for the Asia Pacific Open on January 23 in Australia.

After graduating last month from Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta, USA with a Bachelor of Science in Education major in Exercise Science, she now has set set her sights on becoming a professional tennis player in the Women’s Tennis Association.

She leaves GSU having achieved a school single season record with 32 wins.

Her 2014 tennis season includes the ITA All-American Singles ranking of 15, Doubles ranking of 23, Sun Belt Player of the Year, All-Sun Belt First Team Singles and Doubles Four-time Sun Belt Player of the Week, and GSU Blue Carpet Award for Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Taking up the racquet under the watchful eye of her parents and coach Kwalum and Vere Tere-Apisah, Abigail has set the benchmark for PNG tennis hopeful aiming to be a professional player one day. She returns tomorrow and will be in the country until she leaves for the Asia Pacific Open Tennis event later this month.

All Seasons Oval on Sunday.

“I think there’s a number of these boys here that could play in the BBL (Big Bash League).

“They are so athletic, they love the game and they always play with a smile on their faces. You’ll be surprised with how well these boys play this week.

Jurgensen was previously coach of Bangladesh and New Zealand’s bowling coach before taking up the role of Fiji’s head cricket coach.

“I’ve been really encouraged by what I’ve seen,’’ he said.

“It’s mainly Twenty20 cricket over there with a few 50 over games as well.

“The two-day games this week will test these boys out because they’re only used to playing short form cricket.

“In Fiji we only play on hard wickets, but I’ve been encouraged by how quickly the Fiji boys have adapted to

turf wickets. PNG has some turf wickets and I’m not sure about Vanuatu.

“They adapt to the turf wickets because they are athletes. They are fit and athletic and they will field extremely well. They pick things up really quickly.”

Jurgensen said cricket was well behind rugby and soccer in Fiji as far as popularity was concerned.

“More kids are starting to play cricket. There’s a big development team in Fiji working on it and it’s growing all the time,’’ he said.

The star of the EAP squad is skipper Jason Kila from Papua New Guinea.

Kila starred at last year’s ACCC tournament, with two centuries and Australian Country XI selection. He will captain EAP for the first time this week.

Vanuatu off-spinner Jelany Chilia is vice-captain.

Jurgensen has big wraps on imposing fast bowler Viliame Manakitoga, who can bowl at 140kmh.

“He is raw, but he can bowl fast and he’s keen to learn,’’ Jurgensen said.

“You only have to look at him - he’s so big and athletic.”

ICC East Asia-Pacific regional development officer Jane Livesey said it was a great opportunity for the EAP region’s developing talent.

“It’s an exciting young team with a lot of new faces,” she said. “We have six ACCC debutants in the team this year and Jason Kila from Papua New Guinea will captain for the first time.

“The ACCC is an excellent opportunity for players from the EAP region to play high quality cricket on good grounds.

“It also presents an important opportunity for players from Vanuatu and Fiji to pre-

Allan Cup ready to get underway

VOLLEYBALL

BY KILA NAO

THE organising committee of the popular Nick and Bonnie Allan Cup is ready to get underway from January 16 to 28 at Tatana Araira village in Port Moresby. The tournament in its sixth year and has once again attracted more than 60 teams. They will participate in three divisions. The Under18 boys and girls competition will kick off on January 16 to 17 followed by the U/21’s on January 21 to 23 and the Open men and women from January

23 to 28. City-based teams, Motu Koita villages including Lea Lea, Porebada, Fisherman’s Island, Tubusereia and Hula have all indicated they will participate.

Dirty Mix of Tatana won the Cup in the Open men’s division while Kauka women from Kira Kira village won in the women’s and in the U/21 division, Houra men and Kazens women will be defending the trophy.

Registration fee for U/18’s is K50 a team, U/21 – K100 a team and Open is K150 a team. The deadline for the fees is January 19.

pare for World Cricket League 6 later this year.

“We have shown in the past that we are more than capable of matching it with all the other teams at the ACCC,” she said.

“This is a very talented group of cricketers and with more players than ever from the region playing regular cricket in Australia, I expect that they will be competitive through the tournament.

“As long as we learn as a team and improve with each game, the results will look after themselves.”

EAP played their first game against Queensland Country at Canterbury Park on Monday.

EAP were 146 all out off 58.2 overs (J.Tom 34, K.Doriga 32). In reply QLD Country were 4-85 (K.Vagi Morea 2-21) off 38 overs from close of play on Monday. The match continued yesterday.

In order to participate in the professional circuit, a fundraising Golf Challenge will be held on February 13, at the Port Moresby Golf Club. Business houses and friends are advised that to participate each team of four members will be registered at K3000 per team. For more information contact Scott at the Port Moresby Golf Club and Golly Buase Fundraising chairman on phone numbers 70020796 or 73464450 for more information.

EAP and PNG batsman Kipling Doriga follows through on a shot against QLD Country.

KAUKA women from Kira Kira village will be defending the Cup in the women’s division.

Fiji bound bound

PNG Sevens team prepare for Hong Kong and NZ PNG Sevens team prepare for Hong Kong and NZ

RUGBY UNION

BY ADAM MERA

THE PNG Export Lager Pukpuks determination to be competitive on the international scene following its successful qualification to the World Sevens Series Circuit

saw a 16-man training squad leave for Fiji yesterday. This is for a three-week training program for the Pukpuks to prepare themselves for the Wellington 7’s tournament in New Zealand from February 6-8. The Wellington 7’s will see 16 of the world’s top rugby

7’s nations split into four pools for two days of non-stop rugby action.

The tournament will be the first leg of the Pukpuks World Series Circuit campaign.

Team Manager Billy Rapilla said Wellington will be a huge step up for the Pukpuks,

therefore the team is not taking any chances in terms of preparation.

Rapilla said the choice of Fiji as a preparatory venue is ideal. “Fiji has been a venue that has been continuously overlooked in the past.

MORE ON PAGE 46

PNG Export Lager Sevens international Arthur Clement (right) is among the team that left yesterday for Fiji.