Post Courier, Tuesday February 10, 2015

Face-off looms looms

Polye upbeat but Govt shows off strength as House resumes

THE Government’s numerical strength was on show last night when 65 members of the ruling Peoples National Congress (PNC) held a party caucus in a Port Moresby hotel.

In a bid to snuff out any attempts by the Opposition

to claim numbers before the National Parliament sat today in the first session of the year, senior party member and Moresby Northwest MP Michael Malabag said the Opposition Leader’s announcement to move a vote of no-confidence is just

another political tactic by Mr Polye to create anxiety among leaders.

“If he has the numbers do it on the floor of parliament not in the media,” he told the Post-Courier last night at the Paddy’s Hotel.

A total of 65 MPs attended

the party caucus meeting last night with the Government looking solid behind Prime Minister O’Neill despite a claim by the Opposition leader Don Polye yesterday that he has the numbers to move a motion for a vote of no-confidence.

“Did he give the names of the MPs in his claim, if not then it’s just wishful thinking,” Mr Malabag said.

The PNC members expressed confidence that the Government and its coalition members were intact.

Mr Polye, in an inter-

view with this newspaper yesterday, said he had the numbers to make a move on the floor of Parliament and invited former Prime Ministers and government members to support him.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Street kids need long-term policy intervention

Index

Asia news .............................36

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

Business ..........................19-21

Classifieds .......................40-44

Comics..................................39

Highlands Post.....................15

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EDITOR

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IMAGINE

putting a smile on the face of a povertystricken child who grew up on the tough streets of Port Moresby and has never been to school nor mingle with schoolmates.

Picking aluminium cans in the dark alleys of the PNG capital, directing traffic for affluent Papua New Guinean motorists or selling assorted items including pirated DVDs could have been a way of life for these children until they met Colin Pake.

In fact attending school could have been far from their minds as years of surviving off the streets of Port Moresby would have compelled them to put education last on their priority list. But that all changed when Mr Pake walked into their lives, offering hot meals and a home for a lot of them and opening a window to a second chance in life through education.

There is no doubt most of the kids revere Mr Pake, his wife, family and staff who run the NCD-based Life PNG Care and its programs such as the Strongim Pikinini Education Program. Mr Pake and his organisation are God-sent, for all they know and we recognise that as well and have since last year given editorial support to the organisation. A fortnight ago the Post-Courier ran a front page story on the plight of 40 vulnerable children that the Life PNG Care has taken under its wing. The organisation needed urgent funding to send the children to school, whose future remained uncertain if they continued to live on the streets of the PNG capital.

We believed there are angels out there, who are ready to put their hands up, when we published the story. This newspaper started fielding queries from those angels when the story came out and a fortnight later about K35,000 was raised to put the vulnerable children in school. Hence it is only fitting that we commend the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) managing director Wasantha Kumarasiri, Nambawan Trophy Group executive director Jim K. A Gui, Big Rooster Group, Figaro Coffee, the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL), Mineral Resources Development Corporation (MRDC), AkzoNoble, Tribal Foundation and various individuals for supporting the cause and giving a second chance to these young Papua New Guineans.

You have given them hope and the ability to believe in themselves as they enter a classroom and discover their potential and ability to take that next step, just like any other Papua New Guinean child in both urban and rural communities. But it is only the start of a long journey under the Life PNG Care’s Strongim Pikinini Education Program, which would need the support of both the Government and the private sectors.

Mr Pake is worried that the failure by authorities to take care of our street children, who continue to increase in numbers in PNG towns and cities, could have implications for the country’s future wellbeing. It is time for our decision makers to take stock of the developments and to consult individuals and organisations such as Life PNG Care on a way forward. The vulnerable children, despite the challenging environment they lived in, deserve another shot at success just like any other Papua New Guinean child.

The bottom line

Home news...............4-9, 12-13

Islands Post .........................17

Mamose Post .......................16

Pacfic news .....................34-35

Southern Post ......................14

Sport ................................46-47

Stars ......................................39

Sudoku .................................39

The drum ...............................3

Turf Guide .............................45

World news......................37-38

Yu tok ...............................10-11

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Group saves woman accused of sorcery

A WOMAN who was accused of sorcery was saved by the Mt Hagen police and a group of advocates against sorcery related violence.

Josephine Titus from Kandep in the Enga Province was severely tortured for three hours by locals in the Wagbel area of the Komkui tribe before she was rescued on Sunday morning.

Pastor and magistrate Gabriel Bak from Komkui, who graduated last week from a training to be advocates against sorcery related violence, immediately responded and warned the

youths not to torture her and reported the matter to police.

According to a local leader, Josephine was caught by youths at 3am near a cemetery of a young leader and teacher who was buried on Saturday. The leader said she was at the wrong time at the wrong place. She was severely burnt with hot iron rods and bush knives all over her body, including her private parts. Sergeant Susan Mondia, who was at the scene, said the matter was reported to

the criminal investigation division. She was admitted at the Mt Hagen General Hospital and is receiving treatment.

Josephine’s brother, Issac Titus was surprised and shocked to hear about the incident and denied any allegation of her sister performing sorcery. He said Josephine stays in Pore near Mt Ambra, about 30 minutes drive north of Mt Hagen, but how she was caught there near Warakum is yet to be known.

Meanwhile, the victim could not give any details

of the incident as she was in severe pain and traumatised.

Titus thanked the police for their quick response and acknowledged the assistance of the advocates against sorcery related violence.

The advocates against sorcery related violence are people living in the Mt Hagen watching out for sorcery related issues.

They were trained by the Seeds Theater Group in partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Mt Hagen with funding support from the embassy of Canada.

Opposition in moves to topple govt

FROM PAGE 1

“I HAVE the numbers 21 members to sign a notice of motion of no confidence. That number is growing,” Mr Polye said.

“I do have enough numbers to make a move. But I will have to get blessing from the former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. I have to get blessing from another pioneer Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, and other

former Prime Minister like Paias Wingti,” he said.

“I have the numbers and I am prepared to move a motion on the floor of parliament.

“I stand ready and call on other members to think the reality of economic management. It is riddle with no sound management.”

The government is expected to introduce its reform agenda with legislations expected to the Public

Service (Management Act), Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) when the House sits this afternoon.

The Opposition with about eight MPs will be banking on a shift from the government which remains solid behind Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. Mr Polye said that there are a number of factors that will compel a change of gov-

ernment and this include the government’s management of the economy.

“For example, I been saying it many times the socalled mega structures built in the cities in terms of infrastructure development, there only there for one of times and they are only for window curtains but as far as economy or economic foundation is concerned, it fell short of creating a sustainable economy.”

Sorcery term traced back to the original Latin, sors, meaning lot, or chance, and sortis the genitive case meaning of, or by, lots.

Hopeful start for vulnerable children

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

A MAN taking care of homeless children predicts bigger problems for Papua New Guinea if these children are not cared for today.

Collin Pake said this when thanking individuals and business houses that responded to his call for help.

About K35,000 was raised in the past week through cash and kind to put 40 vulnerable children to school.

His appeal was made through a an article on our front page two weeks ago.

By this week, the children are in school.

“You people have indeed put a smile on their faces,’’ Mr Pake said.

He said a better life for these

The bottom line

the drum

LATE MP

WHO’S that minister who arrived late for the recent Leaders’ Summit and rushed out soon after? Attempts to talk to him were futile when his bulked-up guards stepped in and told reporters no interviews. Now we hear the cops are looking for him to serve some documents!

SEASON

IT is the silly season in Canberra and Port Moresby.

Australian PM Tony Abbott survived the leadership spill vote 61-39, forcing him to describe it as a “near death experience”. But it’s unlikely to be that close in PNG despite Opposition claims.

CON JOB

CAUTION to the public for certain individuals soliciting funds with a promise of fruit picking jobs in Australia. Don’t be fooled and part with your hard earned cash. If you do pass on their details to the authorities.

REPELLENT

IT HAS to be the most effective mosquito repellent. Scribes enjoying a social outing went tribal to chase off a swarm of mosquitoes. They lit a bonfire. Good to know they didn’t dance around the fireplace though.

At a glance

APPEAL: K35,000 was raised to put 40 street kids to school.

COLLIN PAKE: He predicts bigger problems for PNG if homeless kids are not cared for today.

CANTACT: Collin Pake can be contacted on 7347 6302 or by email: cpyakio@gmail.com

children has begun at the Life PNG Care’s Strongim Pikinini Education program, which is helping to sustain the needs of these children and ensure they complete their education one day.

“If we don’t do anything to help these displaced, orphans and homeless street children, our nation will

have a big problem later.

“The number of this group of children has increased dramatically. They are spreading like an epidemic in the urban cities and towns of our nation. We have to do something to help this generation. If we don’t act now, we must not expect a better future.’’ Mr Pake said.

He said without the support he had received, he would not have put the 40 children to school.

Those who gave included IPBC managing director Wasantha Kumarasiri, group executive director for Namba Wan Trophy Ltd Jim Gui, Big Rooster Group, Figaro Coffee, the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited, Mineral Resources Development Company,

Akzo Nobel, Tribal Foundation and a few individuals.

Of the 40 children, 22 live with the Pake family at their home in Gerehu where they are fed, clothed and provided basic necessities, while the other 18 live with their relatives with an arrangement in place to see that they are supported by LPC.

“These children have been living on the streets, being homeless for five to six years. But they are now happy to live at our family home care and go to school,’’ he said.

Mr Pake said Life PNG Care is doing what it can to help these children who have so much potential and spirit to soldier through hardship.

TOO HOT

YOU have to feel for the reporters who spent close to an hour yesterday stuck in a lift at the Parliament. The city’s unreliable power supply locked them in. The sweltering heat was unbearable. But they survived thanks to colleagues who kept them entertained while waiting.

ALL MIXED

MIX signals coming from the Government on West Papua. The PM made headlines recently on the issue. But Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato told Radio New Zealand the PM was “misinterpreted” by local media.

CUT SHORT

WEST Papuan advocates in PNG and abroad took to social media praising the change. But those celebrations will be cut-short by Mr Pato’s statement and trigger criticism on both sides of the border.

EMTV SALE

SOMEONE should’ve talked to Digicel before we bought EMTV? They must’ve looked at it when they went down the convergence path. Fair to assume it was cheaper to start your own station than buy an existing one that needed significant upgrades.

SHAME

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

About 75 per cent of homeless teens use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate to deal with the traumatic experiences and abuse they face.

MINI BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS

Jack

THIS picture by Mittlam Yames shows the sorry state of the Milne Bay WWII memorial. One would think Milne Bay people are peace loving who don’t go around vandalizing property. Locals have condemned the vandalism, saying this isn’t the Milne Bay they know. Alotau dat one how!

SOME of the 40 unfortunate children with their newly bought school uniforms. Seated at the centre are Collin, his wife Freda and their two sons Reuben and Joshiah at their family home in Gerehu.

O’Neill receives villagers’ petition

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday received the petition of the people of Hanuabada village, supported by other Motu and Koitabu villages of the NCD and Central Province.

The petition collected close to 5000 signatures and contained five main points as demands following the shooting deaths of two Hanuabada villagers, Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi, in the village three weeks ago.

A delegation of 15, including Motu-Koitabu west women’s representative and NCD commissioner Mere Ore, were present among the people and families of the deceased when they handed over the petition to the Parliament.

Mr O’Neill said he was with the people of Motu-Koitabu and would see to it that the concerns raised in the petition were addressed.

“This Government is opposed to our security forces using excessive force in trying to maintain law and order in our communities,” he said.

The Hanuabada committee has given a deadline of two weeks for a written response to be made to the petition.

The parents of the deceased previously relayed a strong message of forgiveness which the committee stood on however they would still strive for justice to be served, including a guarantee of a brighter future for the children of Motu-Koitabu.

Victims of police brutality laid to rest

BY DONALD WILLIE

Call for human rights office

BY DONALD WILLIE

LONG time human rights advocate Matilda Pilacapio is calling on the Government to establish a national office or commission for human rights.

“There is an urgent need to move ahead with the establishment of the Human Rights Commission in Papua New Guinea,” Ms Pilacapio said.

Following countless police brutality incidents in the country especially the case of the death of two urban villagers, accountability is important and this commission should be established according to international standards.

“It could play an important role in investigating violations of Human rights and importantly also for training and advocacy.”

Ms Pilacapio said that although the right to life is protected by the Constitution, it may be limited in certain circumstances among which is the use of reasonable force, which law enforcers are authorised to use when effecting arrests.

At a glance

The bottom line

WITH

the

family”,

singing of bese veridia or “my

Hanuabada villagers Toka Gauda Toka and Nicholas Goru Rarua were laid to rest yesterday at the Badihagwa cemetery.

Their deaths, caused by a reckless police shooting incident two weeks earlier at the city village, had brought the city to its knees as villagers blocked off the roads and denied the city’s access to fuel and electricity.

Again yesterday, the villages came together with politicians, work colleagues, even strangers, to bid their farewell.

Senior Motu statesman

Sir Moi Avei told the peo-

LAID TO REST: Victims of Hanuabada police shoot-out Toka Gauda Toka and Nicholas Goru Rarua were laid to rest yesterday at Badihagwa cemetery.

UNION: The deaths had brought the community of Hanuabada together such that they were able to bring the city of Port Moresby to a standstill, cutting off road access to fuel and electricity.

FAREWELL: Many a statesmen and leaders were present at the funeral to pay their respects.

MESSAGE: A challenge was made to all Motu-Koitabuans to remember the dead and come together and support each other.

ple of Hanuabada and MotuKoitabu not to forget that the two deaths had brought the people together in unity. The singing of bese veridia went in line with Sir Moi’s message of when the London Missionary Society arrived in Hanuabada, making it a

light house for other villages in Central Province. Also present to pay their last respects were Nou Karoho and Joseph Daniel, who were injured in the police shooting.

Former PNG diplomat Babani Maraga said the

Hanuabada tragedy was a political statement on the plight of the Motu-Koitabu people of Port Moresby.

“I am challenging all the young Motu-Koita to remember these two young men and come together, work together and support each other because we are now only a fraction of the city of Port Moresby and owning only 40 per cent of the land which the city is built on.”

Sir Moi sharing similar sentiments reminded the people of how many MotuKoitabuans had contributed to PNG’s development, citing the grandfathers of the two deceased, Sir Dadi Toka and the late Sir Sinaka Goava as examples.

She said that in article three of the United Nation’s universal declaration of Human Right, which Papua New Guinea is also signatory to, everyone has a right to life, liberty and security.

The right to life is also enshrined in article six of the international covenant civil and political rights to which PNG is a state party to.

“Law enforcing authorities are there to protect human rights, it would be of great importance that they receive adequate training which is practical and related to their duties,” the Human rights advocate said.

She made particular mention of this while on the other hand, acknowledged those police man who always go out of their way to protect the rights of the citizens in spite being faced with low salaries and poor living conditions daily.

Penicillin, a popular treatment for venereal diseases was introduced on February 14, 1929 otherwise known as Valentine’s Day.

FAMILY and friends viewing the bodies of Toka Gauda Toka and Nicholas Goru Rarua before their burials yesterday.

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill

Judiciary presents 2013 report

THE judiciary has for the first time presented detailed report on the court functions and performances of judges on Friday.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia presented the 2013 Judges Report to GovernorGeneral Sir Michael Ogio at the Government House.

Sir Salamo said after the formal presentation that the 2013 Judges Annual report was due in August last year but the presentation part of it was delayed due to the preparation of the report.

He said he would ensure this year’s report was presented on time.

The report presented to Sir Michael would then be presented to the Speaker to table in parliament.

The Chief Justice said he would not disclose the content of the report as it was yet to be tabled in parliament.

He said the report basically contain detail information and statistics on the performances of judges and the flow of cases in court.

Lawyer assaulted over courtroom arguments

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

A LAWYER was physically assaulted yesterday at the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises by a group who did not like his court room arguments.

The lawyer, McRonald Nale, was assaulted at the car park after the court hearing between one-time politician Robert Kopaol and John Nahare.

Mr Nale represented Mr Nahare in the case which involved a death of a young man who was related to Mr Kopaol.

The bottom line

Brothers in court over dad’s property

THE National Court has thrown out an appeal by a man against his own brother who had inherited the properties that belonged to their late father.

Dad Joseph Michael Regione, who died in 2006, had left the properties in his will to son Joseph Junior but his brother Jack was not happy with this and took the matter to court. However, the court was told that elder brother Jack was occupying a property which was left by their father when Joseph took out the eviction order.

Justice Ere Kariko said if Jack had wanted to complain about sharing the assets he should have done so earlier when realising that he was not included on the list of beneficiaries.

However, he did not do so until his brother evicted him from the family house. This meant Jack was not interested in anything but the property which, according to the will of the father, did not belong to him.

Battle for institute’s post in vain

FORMER acting director for the PNG Institute of Public Administration, Yala Yatu, has lost his court battle challenging the appointment of Angori Wewerang to the post.

At a glance

LAWYERS’ KNOWLEDGE: Lawyers do not know all the laws by heart but they have the skills to find the right law on which to base their argument for a case they are given to handle.

INSTRUCTION: Lawyers do not know the full facts of the cases they handle but it is their clients who must furnish them with facts.

ONUS: While clients have to furnish full and correct facts to lawyers, it is the lawyers’ job to find the right law that is applicable to each case and guide its proceeding through right process.

The commotion outside the courtroom started when Mr Kopaol, who was calling for calm and control in the first place, finally lost his temper and grabbed Mr Nale,

resulting in his supporters swarming in and contributing to the scuffle.

They accused Mr Nale for lying to the court on behalf of his client.

Had it was not for the court guards, Mr Nale would have been beaten up severely and injured.

The guards also copped fists from some of the assailants but created way for Mr Nale to escape back into the court house with a torn shirt.

The Post-Courier witnessed the scene in which Mr Nale was seen shaken and escorted away in a police vehicle afterwards.

The group that attacked Mr Nale wanted to grab him and shove him into a waiting vehicle, but the court

guards intervened. They were heard saying that the decisions in court would make him (Nale) and his client smile in the court room but when they came out, the final decision would be handed to them on the street.

Meanwhile, some lawyers at the scene expressed disgust in the action saying lawyers are there only to act upon their clients’ advice and to ensure every avenue was exhausted to argue and win cases.

Some said it amounted to contempt.

The National Court found that Yatu’s arguments to retain that position was not appropriate as he was removed about four years ago and Wewerang as the duly appointed person according to the National Executive Council.

Judge Ere Kariko said the appointment of Yatu was in 2010 as the acting director. However, Wewerang was appointed in May 2014 on a three months contract and on August 2014 he was again reappointed for another three months as the acting director. The court said Yatu did not have any ground or reason to keep the position and should therefore stop arguing over the public office.

The Supreme and National court judges and magistrates exercise the judicial power on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea.

CHIEF Justice Sir Salamo Injia presenting the 2013 Judges Annual Report to the Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio at the Government House on Friday. Picture: JACOB POK

Polye: We’ll tap into agriculture

OPPOSITION Leader Don Polye says that a government he leads will exhaust the untapped potential that agriculture offers for PNG’s economic advancement.

Mr Polye said this upon learning about the O’Neill Government’s announcement of investing in agriculture.

“It should not be a lip service because the Government has appropriated fewer funds in the agriculture sector this year which has the huge potential to spin the wheels of our economy.

“Our economy is agriculture-based and the successive prime ministers have been turning blind eyes to it as economically unviable,” he said.

The former treasury minister said his dreams of financially supporting the sector were not realised when he was sacked from Cabinet by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last year for undermining his leadership.

“The Opposition’s alternative government policy had comprehensive agriculture and livestock development program which is based on a commercialisation platform.

“If or when the Opposition is in power, the areas that have high prospects of advancing our economy are the Sepik Plains, RamuMarkham Valley, Karimui Valley, Baiyer Valley, Papua Basin, Hela Valley and the whole of NGI as the agriculture and livestock commercialisation delegated areas,” Mr Polye said.

He added there was a

The bottom line

Economist: Agriculture is our future

ECONOMIST Jacob Weiss believes criticisms of the economy and the budget are unfounded and urged the Government to invest heavily in agriculture.

PROPOSAL: That if and when the Opposition is in power agriculture will be a priority area.

AGRICULTURAL

PROSPECTS: Sepik Plains, Ramu-Markham Valley, Karimui Valley, Baiyer Valley, Papua Basin, Hela Valley and the whole of NGI.

need for a special and separate agriculture commercialisation strategy for Bougainville.

He said that state institutions like the National Agriculture and Research Institute, National Research Institute, and universities should be well funded to partner and develop a viable agriculture and livestock industry.

“Cultivate strong partnership with International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), World Bank and IMF among others so that PNG adds value to her agriculture produce/products through these partnerships,” said Polye.

Justice Sawong opens legal year

MOROBE Province yesterday witnessed the official opening of the 2015 legal year with the message of justice and mercy as qualities that must be served by the judicial sector in the province.

Newly appointed judge administrator of Morobe Province Justice Don Sawong, in his keynote speech, declared the 2015 legal year open and stressed that though the administrative challenges are being addressed, the focus of the annual gathering of all arms of the judi-

ciary in Morobe must be realised.

Justice Sawong said the focus that has resulted in the gathering and especially in a church, is to seek

divine wisdom and reflection.

Host and pastor of the Lae SDA Memorial Church

Pastor Leigh Rice challenged the legal fraternity to show justice and mercy.

Pastor Rice told the law performers to ask within themselves what God requires of them to do justly, to love and walk humbly with him throughout the year.

Justice Sawong said past working habits in the judiciary have all been in accordance with the Constitution.

Club Direct, a travel insurance company in Britain, provides insurance plans for protection from falling coconuts.

Mr Weiss singled out budget criticism by Australian Paul Flanagan, who had claimed that the size of the Government’s debt and its reliance in domestic borrowing would raise inflation, deplete foreign reserves and bankrupt the country.

Mr Weiss said it was normal for countries enjoying strong economic growth to have high inflation, but in PNG inflation was reined in under 6 per cent because of sound monetary policy and fiscal responsibility.

The Israeli economist said ratings firm Standard and Poors maintaining a B+ rating for PNG shows that the fundamentals of the economy was strong.

“People can talk about debt and deficit, but our growth strategy is long term, and is not a one year thing. As our GDP grows, our debt will be reduced, so will the deficit, and the budget would balance,” Mr Weiss said.

He encouraged domestic rather than offshore borrowing, to avoid exporting GDP growth offshore.

Mr Weiss also urged the government to invest more in agriculture.

He said mining and petroleum were in a narrow enclave and does not benefit too many people.

“80 per cent of our people live off farming. We must give them more opportunity to produce food for themselves and for the market, so they can raise their income level. Agriculture is where our future is.”

He said the much talked about ‘dutch disease’ will be avoided if PNG invest its revenue from oil and gas in agriculture.

JUSTICE Don Sawong and resident Justice Jacinta Murray during the legal year opening service at the Lae Memorial SDA Church. Picture: FRANKIY KAPIN

Ask yourselves what God requires of you throughout the year ...

PASTOR LEIGH RICE Lae

K30m given for priority projects

A SUM of K30 million was allocated last year for priority projects for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, a leaders’ summit was told last week.

EHP education crisis

BY MICHAEL KOMA

THE education crisis in Eastern Highlands Province is far from over as many teachers are without postings and schools have not begun the 2015 school year yesterday as resolved last week.

Teachers posting was done last Wednesday but about 500 of the 2000 teachers were reportedly excluded from the posting list displayed outside the Yanepa building in Goroka.

ROBERT KAKAO Eastern Highlands Province

Many teachers expressed disgust at the postings, say-

ing it was done in haste and without proper consultation from the teachers.

Provincial education director Robert Kakao brushed the claim, saying less than 250 teachers had missed out but would be accommodated during consequential appointments soon.

“The issue on our hand now is the late commencement of the school year and the posting of teachers,” Mr Kakao said.

“Teachers offloaded from the posting are not really

Govt ready to release K300m

THE Government is ready to release warrants for the first K300 million to more than 10,500 schools this week, says Education Secretary Michael Tapo.

He also told the Leadership Summit in Port Moresby last week that there were a lot of things he needed to work on at the Education Department in order to fix the problems that are being faced year in year out.

He singled out the curriculum and training for teachers and a review of their working conditions.

“We need money in order to move the Education

MICHAEL Tapo

Department and we will fix the curriculum,” he said.

“We need to roll out financial management training for all head teachers, schools and institutions, we also need to conduct a districtbased nationwide acquittal

exercise, using largely district staff,” he said.

He said they have achieved so many things in 2014 and are looking for more developments in the New Year.

“There is equal emphasis on teacher training and development, we began teacher training in 2014 and on standards and quality assurance, with assessment before, during and after learning, these are very important,” he told the leaders. “We need further Government commitment from 2015 to implement new curriculum, beyond K60 million provided in 2015,” he said.

Tertiary intakes increase

A TOTAL of 5628 out of 19,828

Grade 12 students have been selected to attend 30 higher education institutions throughout the country. This is an increase of 21 per cent compared to the previous year.

The Office of Higher Education only offered 5234 scholarships while 394 were self or private sponsorships. These students are from 129 secondary schools that have being offered spaces in 30 higher institutions, a report from the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology says.

This report was also presented at the 2015 leaders’ summit last week by acting secretary for higher education, research, science and technology David Kavanamur.

Kavanamur highlighted the factors behind the increase.

These factors include the Government’s tuition fee free policy; compulsory education; increased number of secondary schools, population growth; increases in government scholarships, establishment of new tertiary institution are among some factors.

Despite improvements in

a big issue as we will still find a classroom for them to teach in.

“Eastern Highlands has many schools. We encounter teacher shortage every year so those who cannot find their names on the posting list should not be dismayed.”

Education authorities in Goroka are anxious as schools did not begin actual classes for the second week in a row.

Last Wednesday Teaching Service Commissioner (poli-

Young woman determined

BY SHIRLYN BELDEN

cy) Samson Wangihome was in Goroka and addressed frustrated teachers and parents, who had converged on the provincial capital to voice their concerns in proportionate to the none commencement of the school year.

PNGTA’s highlands regional representative Michael Melson, who showed up at the scene, was verbally abused by teachers in Goroka for “being silent and complacent on the impasse”.

When giving the update on the projects so far, acing secretary for the department David Kavanamur said maintenance, recapitalisation and new infrastructure development takes out K10 million technical vocational education and training skills scholarship program received K15 million and open university received K5 million.

For maintenance, recapitalisation and infrastructure development works at the University of Papua New Guinea (K2.8 million); University of Technology, (K1 million); University of Goroka (K400,000); University of Natural Resources (K1.8 million); Divine Word University, (K2.5 million) and Pacific Adventist University (K1.5 million for rehabilitation of staff houses).

Various projects for the six universities are in various stages of implementation, said Kavanamur. Feasibility studies and project preparations are also underway for the establishment of open university facilities in the 89 districts.

quantity of students, the quality of higher education has become a grave concern.

Kavanamur pointed out that governance and administration, financial resources, academic staff, physical resource and educational programs are some factors affecting quality in higher institutions. He said external audits have shown that our universities are not meeting internal quality standards.

He said advance mathematics dropped from 57 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent in 2012 and the budget declined in real terms.

NINETEEN year old Brenda

Yangen of Enga province has set her eyes beyond the horizon to break barriers and achieve her dream to fly.

The lass is the only female among 11 boys who will leave for the Philippines to begin her flying career, a thriving industry in PNG that is predominantly occupied by male.

This, she says, is the challenge she prepares to face.

Brenda completed her grade 12 at Gerehu Secondary School last year says her inspiration came from fellow Engan and relative Captain Bruce Paki who is also the institute’s PNG-agent and international flight instructor. She said her decision to take up flying was well thought after she attained her higher school certificate where she was encouraged by her parents to get pilot training in the Philippines. She said being the only female in the group was a challenge which she is serious about and that she is determined to overcome it.

Parents Daniel and Helen Yangen said they are prepared to make sacrifices for their daughter.

SENIOR education officer Thomas Johnduo calling on the teachers to travel to schools on time to start the 2015 school year. Mr Johnduo is also vying for the provincial education director’s position. Picture: MICHAEL KOMA.

The issue on our hand is the late commencement of the school year..

LNG host has nothing to show

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

TARI town in Hela Province should by now be a city boasting its status as the hub of the PNG LNG project, says a citizen.

Stanley Arako from Hela who works with the PNG Power Ltd in Port Moresby said this when lamenting the status of the town.

Mr Arako said the people of Hela deserve to be benefitting from the project with a state of art market, sealed roads, effective electricity service and a visibly booming economic environment.

“We do not see any major changes as was promised by our so-called leaders when luring the bulk of illiterate landowners to sign the agreements,” Mr Arako said.

He added that only Port Moresby is seeing to be booming with infrastructure and economic activities whilst the people in Hela are still struggling to make ends meet.

Mr Arako challenged the MP’s of Hela to go to Tari and explain to the people as to what use the LNG revenues are being put to.

“With parliament sitting this week, I expect you Hela leaders to speak up …instead of being silent favour doers,” Mr Arako said.

Health casual staff attain public service status

BY MICHAEL KOMA

MORE than 100 hospital staff at the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Kundiawa General Hospital in Chimbu Province were inducted into the mainstream public service last week.

That means they are no longer recognised as casual staff but are now absorbed into the civil workforce as public servants.

The staff ranged from cleaners to drivers and nursing officers.

The hospital’s acting corporate services director and training officer Gabriel Kuglsuna said most of the inductees had waited for many years for absorption into the government’s workforce.

For instance, ambulance driver Ninkama Wemin waited 35 years for the opportunity while cleaner Josephine Baundo waited for 25 years.

During those years they and others were paid as auxiliary staff by the hospital.

The Kundiawa hospital board has financed the weeklong public service induction course held at the Warasimbu Riverside Lodge near the Chimbu River bridge.

The session was facilitated by a Lae-based public service induction trainer, whose credentials were sanctioned by the Department of Personnel Management.

ThefollowingpricesaretheanticipatedpricesforMogas,DieselandKerosenetoapplyatthepump(including GST)atthecentresidentified.Thesepriceswilltakeeffectfrom12:01amonSunday,8thFebruary2015andreflect theImportParityPrices(IPP)thatwillapplyforthemonthuntilthenextpricechange.Thepricesarebulkfuel deliveredtothesecentresandsoldattheretailservicestations.

Armed men rob Tari post office

BY ANDREW ALPHONSE

THE ugly face of lawlessness in the resource rich Hela Province popped up yet again when the Post-PNG branch in Tari was robbed by armed men last Monday morning.

Tari police sources said two youths armed with a home-made gun and wielding a machete marched into the post office when it opened for business at about 8am on Monday.

The incident happened in full view of the huge crowd that gathered at the nearby main town market and shops.

disappearing among the huge crowd. The manager reported the matter to Tari police and the local criminal investigation division (CID) team is conducting an investigations into the robbery.

Other members of the public and even police said there is something fishy about the robbery as the PostPNG staff did not raise the alarm and alert the nearby members of the public to come to their rescue.

Note

Wherearangeisshown,thisreflectsthelatestadvicereceivedofthefreightchargesthatapplytothese locations.WheretheCommissionhasbeenadvisedofmorethanonefreightrate,ithasincorporatedtherate into a range for the final retail price.

IthascometotheattentionoftheCommissionthatsomeservicestationshavebeendelaying changingpricestoconformwiththisnotice.TheCommissionwillinfuturebecloselymonitoringservice stationstoensurethatthereisnodelayinadjustingpumppricestoconformwiththisnotice.ThePrices RegulationActunderwhichthismaximumpriceisdeterminedprovidesforsubstantialpenaltiesifpump pricesarenotchangedintermsofthisnotice.Pleasebringthisinformationtotheattentionofretailers.

For more information contact Brian Ivosa at the ICCC Head office on phone 325 2144 or email bivosa@iccc.gov.pg. For those outside Port Moresby, our offices are located in Kokopo (Ph: 9829711) Lae (Ph: 4722859/6188) and Goroka (Ph: 7321077).

6th February, 2015

Police said the two may have pretended to be early customers as they were undetected by the members of the nearby public.

The armed men ordered the lone postal manager to open the safe where the weekend’s takings were kept and dashed off with about K9800 in cash.

Tari police believe it is an ‘inside job’ while locals are also fuming over how the postal staff could allow the two youths to order them from over the counter without putting up a struggle or raising an alarm like alerting the nearby guards and members of the public.

The Hela public could not believe that the two youths could help themselves to the money and walk out of the post office before mingling and

“We are not convinced that it was a normal robbery as the staff failed to raise any alarm and allowed the two youths to simply walk away with the money.

“The post office is being operated inside a well secured property which is just metres away from the main market where members of the public also keep a watch on any possible criminal activity.

“This is a rare and sinister case where the two youths helped themselves at will and walked away without even being detected by members of the nearby public,” a police officer in Tari said.

As of last week, the post ofice has remained closed and amongst the most affected are parents wanting to send their children’s school fees and pocket money via the popular Salim Money Kwik (money transfer) service.

SOME of the Kundiawa hospital staff who were inducted into the mainstream public service last week.

Picture: MICHAEL KOMA

Mogas (Petrol)DieselKerosene

Women want ban to continue

BY LEONNIE WAYANG

WOMEN in the Moresby South electorate of the nation’s capital want the alcohol ban in settlements and bottle shops in suburbs to continue so there are less alcohol-related problems in the community.

The ban, which was endorsed by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) late last year, has had a positive impact during the festive season.

The season was peaceful compared to previous years, prompting the women to push for an indefinite ban.

A woman representative from the Gorobe settlement, thanked Janet Sape for her part in ensuring the ban was in effect. She added that last festive season was a quiet and peaceful one.

Mrs Sape, the commissioner for women in NCDC and a member of the liquor licensing board, said she would bring the women’s

view to the board for deliberation. “We are mothers, we sit and we identify where the problems are and I have seen that most of these problems are alcoholrelated,” Mrs Sape said.

She said a lot of people had been asking her whether the ban would continue and her answer to them was: “It is up to the public who put this Government in power”.

“If the people want the ban to continue, it will remain. But if they want us to remove it and allow the sale and consumption of alcohol in these areas, we will go along with what the people want.

Anderson Kalo, who was among the group, supported the call and said: “Many of us men drink beer and we tend to feel invincible and create all sorts of problems for our families and the community, so please continue with the ban.

Mrs Sape said: “The ban is still in force indefinitely.”

Aust police supports City Mission

WITH the aim of providing support and care for unfortunate youths in the country, City Mission Papua New Guinea has received assistance to continue its services.

The Australian Federal Police presented 10 pieces of gym equipment and stationery to City Mission PNG last Friday with the aim of providing a better environment for the unfortunate and troubled youths who are taken care of by City Mission.

Representatives from the AFP gathered at Mirigeda, a few kilometres out of the city, to present the materials to the organisation . This is the fourth time the AFP has donated materials to City Mission after seeing the good work the organisation has been doing to support youths between the ages of 15 and 30.

City Mission has seen the need to provide love, care and support for young men who usually come from broken or abusive families by takin g them off the streets and involving them in activities such as carpentry, welding, cooking, farming and agriculture. A vocational teacher of City Mission Michael Melachon, commended the AFP for its continuous support to City Mission.

CITY Mission youths at Mirigeda trying out the new gym equipment

Quick thoughts

NO TO BUAI MARKET

I AM disgusted and against the news that Koki Market will host trading of betelnut. Does it not defeat the whole purpose of banning buai in Port Moresby?

Koki is a good model market which the Member for Moresby South and Governor Parkop have been improving for our farmers as well as the fi sh market which will see tourists and locals frequenting it daily.

Now we are talking about buai sellers and chewers all cramped there right in the middle of the city. Obviously there will be shortage of parking space, traffi c jams and filth e at our beloved Koki Market.

Please let common sense prevail and take it else where like NineMile, Gerehu Freeway, Bautama, Between 14-Mile and Bautama or even the Motuan Villages like Baruni, Kirakira and Badihagwa.

They are in the middle of the city and of course will provide economic benefi ts to Motuans. Let them take ownership of the challenges and provide land for buai trading and the government pays them. There is nothing wrong with that.

The space allocated for the buai market can be provided with coolers for storage of vegetables from Tambul, Hagen and Goroka and other centres. Governor, please promote good health by storing produce like cabbage, broccolli, capsiccum, silver beet, strawberries, carrots and others. An abundance of these green goods will see prices decline and benefi t the city residents most.

Obviously, we do not want to see a expanding buai population unless every parent is teaching every child to chew.

Recommending Koki market for buai sales is obviously awkward in every sense.

Wanep Gomo Port Moresby

Your opinions

Looking for someone?

PEOPLE have been grumbling for so many years that Papua New Guineans are spectators in their own land.

Susan Peacock, then wife of Australian Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock. Please call Alfred on 3212639.

The economy has developed, businesses are making huge profits but for the most part, Papua New Guineans are only picking up the crumbs and fighting over the bones which fall from the rich foreigners’ tables,

Now the talking must stop and make way for action to address this most serious national issue. Moving from spectators to stakeholders without simply chasing out the foreigners requires a twostep solution:

THE Minimum Wage EMPLOYEE Shareholding of the businesses in which he or she is employed. Firstly, giving Papua

New Guinean workers the dignity of a meaningful “minimum wage”, for a maximum five-day working week, is long overdue. This should be calculated using the current prices of the basic essentials of family life including nutritional food, rent, clothing, travel, education, holidays, medical bills and savings etc.

The sixth day would then be available as an “enterprise day” for every wage earner to develop his/her own business, leaving the Sabbath for essential spiritual regeneration. Any loss of production from the five-day week may be offset by the businesses employing unpaid Grade 6, 8, 12 or university graduates at the appropriate level. In the process, these volunteers would build up a formal logbook of

useful employment experiences, leading to them being offered paid positions.

Secondly, Parliament needs to pass laws, requiring all wholesale and retail businesses with an annual turnover in excess of one million kina, to be limited companies, giving 49% of their shares free of charge to their established staff, making them eligible to vote at shareholder meetings, receive dividends, retain ownership after employment has ceased. These measures would take some time to introduce giving local workers a little more of the rewards of business in their own country. Over to you Mr Maru.

Mr. L. D. McGreggor Box 1381, Lae, MP

Developer clarifies P’nyang

I AM writing in relation to an article that was published in the PostCourier on February 5. While it’s not our practice to respond to individual claims through the media (we prefer to engage with true landowners in their home village), it is important that we highlight a few of the facts around the P’nyang field in Western Province. While we feel that everyone has the right to debate issues in Papua New Guinea, it is important to point out that Simon Ekanda is not a landowner or leader in Western Province.

The P’nyang field is currently under assessment and no development plans have been approved yet. The “recent signing” that the article refers to was actually for a memorandum of understanding that allows venture partners to do further assessment and planning work on the P’nyang field (subject to the Government granting a Petroleum Development License) so that we can confirm a commercially viable project. If we develop the P’nyang field, there will be further benefits that flow from this project including employment,

opportunities for local businesses, and of course equity and royalty revenue from the gas produced. This will benefit local landowners, Western Province and Papua New Guinea more broadly.

While we have been assessing the P’nyang field, we have already engaged true local landowners in their villages so that they are aware of our plans. These have included awareness sessions held face-to-face with landowners in the project area, as we want to engage with landowners on their own land.

Social mapping and landowner identification studies are complete, and we understand that the Department of Petroleum and Energy (DPE) is preparing for further engagements with landowners in the project area. Additional meetings with landowners in the project area will be planned by the Department of Environment and Conservation later his year.

The article raises the very important concept of obtaining free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities before initiating development activities on traditionally-owned land. This is something that we have already been doing (as indicated earlier),

Text us on 208

so the assertions stated in the article are completely untrue and without factual basis. ExxonMobil is a signatory to many initiatives, and our approach around the world – including here in Papua New Guinea – is consistent with the principles of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, and the World Bank Operational Policy and Bank Procedure on Indigenous Peoples. We believe that the laws and regulatory processes of the Government of PNG also embrace these principles. The Post-Courier is an important voice for Papua New Guinea and we hope that the integrity of the newspaper remains through well-researched and accurate reporting that features the opinions of a variety of people.

Daniel Worrall - Public & Government Affairs Manager ExxonMobil PNG Limited

Please explain why rugby union is dying

I AM very happy to know that PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is conducting its business in an open and transparent manner. Their recent annual general meeting in Wabag, Enga Province shows clearly to the people of PNG, sponsors and various stakeholders that the game of rugby league is in good hands and has a bright future. Now, what can we say about rugby union in the country? Which direction is this once flamboyant code heading for?

This once flourishing code is dying

10 years ago

a slow death thanks to the PNGRFU management. I’d like to raise a few points which the PNGRFU needs to clarify:

1. Why can’t the PNGRFU provide to all affiliated unions financial statements of its operations (audit reports)?

2. Why can’t PNGRFU provide to all affiliated unions its strategic plan?

3. Explain to the people of PNG and rugby union followers why we do not use provincial and regional tournaments anymore to select our

PPC MUST EXPLAIN

Can the PPC of Chimbu explain to the people of Chimbu and stakeholders, why and under what law does he have the powers to order the granting of bail to a suspect of attempted murder and kidnapping?

After a complaint was raised with the CID, the suspect was arrested and locked in the police cell.

However, the PPC later ordered the release of the suspect on bail. The nature of the offence committed is serious and only the court can exercise its powers through a application.

It’s very suspicious as to how such offences of a serious magnitude can be given police bail. We the public deserve to know as the PPC’s action is questionable.

Bush lawyer

PLEASE EXPLAIN COST

I am a Digicel customer and I am not happy with the way Digicel is doing business in PNG.

For instance, I bought 60 Megabytes from a K3 unit I purchased. I came home, put the phone on and sent an email.

The mail was slow in sending and was in the outbox for some minutes. While it was still sending, I checked my balance and was surprised that 45MB was used up and the email was not even sent!

national 15s representative team (Pukpuks)

4. Why is it that the PNGRFU doesn’t have rugby development officers stationed in each region?

5. PNGRFU needs to explain why all the other sporting codes in PNG have advanced to a semi-professional level while rugby union is yet to get to that stage, and where it is heading? I would like PNGRFU to respond to my queries.

Can Digicel provide and explanation into such services provided for its customers? Like, how much does it cost to send an email, or how much it costs to call from one province to another, etc.

Can the ICCC also shed some light on what it is doing to help the citizens of this country?

Goremaita

WHY TERRORISE?

I have been reading a lot in your daily about police brutality. I am finding it difficult to comprehend

why our police force have gone beyond their constitutional boundaries to exercise such extreme force upon ordinary citizens of this country. You will notice that in recent times, ordinary people live in fear, not of criminals but our own police. Are they not supposed to uphold law and order, and safeguard the citizens of this country rather than terrorising them? I’m of the view that maybe the current recruitment criteria does not really screen the applicants explicitly. Despite all the big talk by the Commissioner and his deputies to the rank and file, you can visibly see there is no change at all. You still see and witness more brutality and see gun-toting policemen, as if we are in a war zone.

The Government has to do something quickly before people take the law into their own hands and worsen the situation.

Law abiding citizen

K1000 FOR WHAT?

In 2014, a national high school requested K1000 from Grade 11 students. Parents were not sure what that money was for. Is it a bond fee? A project fee or school fee? As far as parents and the Education Department is concerned, there is no school fee as national high schools throughout PNG are covered by the free education policy.

This year they are asking for K500 from Grade 12 students (I am not sure about Grade 11 students). I am really concerned about these fees. The school’s rule is that if you do not pay, you are not going to get enrolled. Just what is going on? Parents should be informed ahead of time of such fees!

Can the relevant bodies investigate this and inform parents through the media as we are all confused.

Concerned parent – Kavieng

I feel the Police Commissioner has acted prematurely to come up with such a rushed to come up with such a rushed decision to disband the unit which is innocent until proven guilty. until proven

Deputy city manager and NCD manager and NCD buai ban controller Honk Kiap on the ban controller Honk on the disbanding of the NCDC police reserve unit of the NCDC reserve unit.

Ian Leklek (former player) Morobe Province

Then Treasurer Bart Philemon says poor leadership has driven PNG to the brink of collapse. – Feb 2, 2005

Officials put on payroll

FOR the first time the Government has put on payroll 9970 village court officials from 1406 village courts throughout the country.

The implementation performance report for 2014 under the law and order issues from the Government, shows how these hardworking citizens were formally appointed, gazetted and proclaimed and put on the Alesco payroll system.

Work is in progress as per National Executive Council approval to do likewise for land mediators’ allowances.

The report also stated that the Juvenile Justice Act was passed and in operation while work is in progress to improve the services of probation services, parole services, crime prevention and restorative justice, land tribunals, and public curator and official trustee.

“There are several infrastructure developments including provincial justice centres in progress while recruitment and training of lawyers is an on-going activity with DPM’s approval,” the report states.

The report showed also that under the rural lockups program, the Ambunti rural lock-up was completed and now in operation while Gumine rural lock-up was rehabilitated and now in operation.

The Moreguina rural lockup is 90 per cent complete while Finschaffen staff houses rehabilitation works are in progress.

“The challenges and issues affecting service delivery differ from province to province, sector to sector and agency to agency in many

Water PNG, Goroka sign deal

WATER PNG has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) in Port Moresby last Friday to work in partnership with the Goroka District Development Authority (GDDA) to rehabilitate its water supply and sewerage services.

At a glance

ON: The Government has put 9,970 village court officials on payroll.

SYSTEM: They are being paid through the Alesco payroll system

REPORT: The Government has presented the Implementation Performance Report for 2014. The report detailed work being done or already done on law and order issues

cases but also in many cases such issues and challenges apply to all,” the report states.

“The leaders at the last summit identified 14 issues and challenges as affecting conduct of public administration hence service delivery.”

The following is an update of the actions being taken to address these issues and challenges.

“Under the police modernisation program, the Royal PNG Constabulary has completed 10x3l duplexes in NCD while the 10x3l duplexes for Lae and Mt Hagen are nearing completion.

“The constabulary has recruited, trained and graduated 1020 personnel between 2013 and 2014 replacing 438 officers who left the Force.

“The recruitment and training process is an on-going task to meet the UN recommended police to population ratio of 1:450,” the report states. “Currently, PNG’s police to population ratio is approximately 1:1,200 while the Pacific average including Australia and New Zealand is approximately 1:240.

Better roads bring services

BY MEROLYN TEN

AN important key to better accessibility to services is a proper road network system, says Works secretary David Wereh.

He told the leaders summit last week that there had been numerous infrastructure projects on roads and bridges which have linked districts and provinces for effective the delivery of services.

PNG has 8740km of national roads and 21,000km of provincial and district roads, he said, adding 4256km were priority roads while 4482km

Roads enable socioeconomic development and support services

were “non-prioritised roads”. He said the role of roads in development are to enable socio-economic development, support services delivery to schools, aid posts and health centres and to cater for more than 80 per cent of passenger and cargo move-

ment. “However, challenges such as increasing traffic strain and the weather have deteriorated road conditions from poor to worse and for that reason, the agreed performance target for 2013-17 was designed to do rehabilitation, upgrading, and sealing of 1000km at 250km per year, and to maintain the service level of 4000km of road already in good condition.”

Mr Wereh said this year a total of K1.6 million has been allocated for further maintenance and construction of the national and provincial road assets.

Under the National Water Supply and Sewerage Act, Water PNG has the jurisdiction to supply water and sewerage services throughout the country.

However, Goroka town is the only urban authority in Papua New Guinea that manages its own water and sewerage functions.

Chief operating officer for Water PNG Billy Imar said, “the MoA will ensure a mutual understanding for both parties to work in partnership and will open the door for Water PNG to undertake a major review of the existing design and operation of the Town’s water and sewerage services so that adequate and reliable water can be supplied to meet the demand of the growing population.”

Chief executive/managing director for Water PNG Raka Taviri said it was a positive step forward and this agreement would help both parties reach their corporate visions and goals more strategically in supporting major investment areas in Goroka town.

“While our core purpose is to provide technical assistance and play an advisory role, we invite you to work with us to ensure we deliver these services to the people of Goroka,” Mr Taviri said. However, he said water was not free and the services supplied would need to be paid for in order to maintain the smooth and effective flow of operations.

Board chairman of Water PNG, William Sweet in thanking the GDDA said, “It is our vision to be in every province in PNG.”

Secretariat funds research

THE newly created PNG Science and Technology secretariat is currently funding 15 research projects.

Chief executive officer of the secretariat Professor Teatulohi Matainaho revealed this at the launching of the bio-fuel project at the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) outside Port Moresby on Friday.

The secretariat operates under the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

Prof Matainaho said the secretariat would continue to work closely with universities and other organizations to set a standard platform for research and development to help drive the economy.

He said the secretariat had begun funding the first five impact projects last year. These

At a glance

PROJECTS: The recently created PNG Science & Technology Secretariat has announced it is currently funding 15 research projects.

BEGUN: CEO Professor Matainaho advised that it has already begun funding the first five projects, which began last year.

RESEARCH: The projects are being undertaken by several of the country’s top learning institutions.

TASK: The Secretariat is tasked to improve the standard of research and development

were PAU’s bio-fuel project and renewable energy development (KI50,000), Biodiversity natural products and oil development at the school of natural and physi-

cal sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea (K150,000), drug discovery and herbal medicines development at the school of medicine and human science at the University of Papua New Guinea (K100,000), snake bite and anti-venom clinical trial by the same school (K200,000), and the mushroom project by the University of Goroka (K70,000).

The National Government under the Department of Education’s Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology established the secretariat last year.

Professor Matainaho said the secretariat is tasked to improve not only the standard of research and development in the country, but also to create wealth and grow the economy through research and sustainable development.

INSTEAD of going to where the food is this clever salesman takes the food to where the customer is. Now that’s called smart business, because you never have to leave the comfort of your car.

Picture: KENNEDY BANI

WALKABOUT SALES

DAVID WEREH Port Moresby

Cheap housing not a gimmick

PROVIDING affordable housing is not a gimmick to appease our low income earners, Lands and Physical Planning Minister, Benny Allen said.

He was responding to recent comments by the deputy opposition leader, Sam Basil regarding the government’s bold move to provide affordable housing and accommodation for the people in the country.

Mr Basil called on State

agencies such as Lands and Housing and Urbanisation to work together to develop proper planned residential areas and not continue to develop settlements which he has described as ill-conceived solutions.

Mr Allen said that the Government was encouraging people to move away from settlements by giving them proper land titles so they have security especially when getting loans from

commercial banks to build proper and decent houses for their families.

He said the notion that there is no close working consultation with other state agencies is wrong.

“We have a land and housing committee in place made up of the Attorney-General, Public Service, Lands and the National Planning Minister as the chairman. Lands ministry is always working closely with the

chairman,” he said.

“This Government is serious about taking care of its citizens housing needs and we have made two land portions available in NCD, the Gerehu 3B and the Durand Farm at Eight-Mile. Apart from that, we have made land available for the private sector and appreciate what POSF and Nasfund are doing under their housing schemes.

“Also this Government is

now embarking on reactivating the settlement program in urban areas of the country.

“We are working with National Housing Commission to prepare titles for block holders. This program has started in NCD as a pilot project at EightMile to convert the land into a small suburb with public amenities.”

With the Government’s effort to have land avail-

able, similar programs will apply to other centres such as Lae, Mt Hagen, Kokopo and other small towns.

DEPUTY Opposition Leader Sam Basil has commended Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allen for taking up his challenge to work with the Housing and Urbanisation Minister to develop proper planned residential areas.

Mr Basil said that the challenge was for planned developments rather than the relocation of people from a planned or squatter settlement to a new location without any amenities.

“I was referring to people moved from Paga Hill and other locations in NCD to Dogura and the back of Gerehu Stage 6. Further, the Governor of NCD made a commitment to people affected from the Erima Highway to be relocated to 1000 blocks at Durand Farm.”

Mr Basil said he understood from Mr Allen’s “no gimmick” statement that water, sewerage, sanitation, electricity and roads were already provided to these new residential sites.

“I asked if these 1000 allotments mentioned by the Governor within the proposed Durand Farm housing estate by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) would be given houses or empty blocks. We don’t want to see another settlement popping up at Durand.”

Mr Basil was also critical of the Taurama Valley development “which will become a nightmare for NCDC and utilities providers to connect roads, power, water and sewerage lines and whether it be customary land or State lease. ”

He said that if Mr Allen was concerned about Port Moresby, many middle and low income earners throughout PNG wanted to see houses built for sale or lease to them by the NHC.

More planned residential sites needed Land becoming

more scarce

THE development of a master plan to address increasing urban issues in regards to land in our towns and cities is vital says Lands Minister, Benny Allan.

Those cities top of the list are Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen, Kokopo, Madang, Goroka, Alotau and Wewak.

In a letter to certain provincial governors, he stated that rapid increase in rural-urban migration is putting the country’s towns and cities under immense development pressure.

He said this problem can be addressed through the development of master plans with the future expansion of cities in mind. He advised that this could be achieved through the establishment of provincial lands and physical planning boards.

“I have seen the need to advice the governors of the provinces where our major cities are located to prepare a master plan for each city,” says the Lands Minister.

“The influx of rural-urban migration has put a significant amount of strain on the supply of infrastructures and urban services. This is causing many to resort to illegal and improper means to secure land for development purposes,” Mr Allan said.

He said this practice must be stopped and managed properly through the development of a master plan for each city.

Dear Mr. Kavo,

Independent State of Papua New Guinea MINISTER FOR JUSTICE & ATTORNEY GENERAL

PRESS RELEASE

RE: YOUR CURRENT STATUS AS A CONVICTED PERSON AND PRISONER OF STATE ON BAIL

1. I note that despite your conviction and sentence by the National Court on 9 December 2014 and your successful bail application (pending determination of your appeal), you have made various media statements holding yourself out as Governor for Gulf Province. It is also reported that you have attempted to hold a PEC meeting in this period.

2. I have read various legal opinions and advices from my own lawyers and your lawyer, particularly, so the publicly published media statement dated 9 January 2015 and an earlier letter to the Assembly Clerk dated 31st December 2014 – which state that since you have filed an appeal, by operation of Section 103(4) Constitution – you continue “to remain a member of Parliament”. (see 103(3)). Please note that Section 103(4) Constitution only preserves your status as a Member of Parliament, but clearly not as Governor.

3. Unfortunately, the opinion and advice from your lawyers fails to address the issue of your conviction and sentence and your ensuing status as a prisoner of the State but on bail, and the effect and consequence of these on the position of Governor.

4. Given your current status as a convicted person and prisoner of the State but on bail, it is my considered view that Section 27(1)(b)(c) and (d) and (5) Constitution kicks in. For the avoidance of doubt, I now quote these provisions: “27 Responsibilities of Office

1) A person to whom this Division applies has a duty to conduct himself in such a way, both in his public or official life and his private life, and in his associations with other persons, as not

a) …….

b) to demean his office or position; or

c) to allow his public or official integrity, or his personal integrity, to be called into question; or

d) to endanger or diminish respect for and confidence in the integrity of government in Papua New Guinea.”

5. Subsection (5) of Section 27 of the Constitution, then says very definitively and clearly that: “A person to whom this Division applies who –

a) is convicted of an offence in respect of his office or position or in relation to the performance of his functions or duties; or

b) ……. is guilty of misconduct in office.”

6. It is well known fact that you have been convicted and sentenced for an offence in respect of the position you held as Governor and the Office of Governor and you committed the offence in relation to the performance of your functions as Governor. Accordingly, it is my considered view that you are now guilty of misconduct in office.

7. The effect of this therefore is that you are now “disqualified by law” – that law being Section 27(1) and (5) Constitution as quoted above – to continue to hold office as Governor. This is the effect of operation of Section 19(1)(e) of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments which says:

“Vacation of Office of the Provincial Governor” –

1) If the Provincial Governor –

a) ……

b) ……

c) ……

d) ……

e) is otherwise disqualified by law, or …….

he shall be deemed to have vacated the Office of the Governor.”

8. For purposes of clarity, I make the following emphasis. That your appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the conviction and sentence and the resultant operation of Section 103(4) Constitution only preserves your status as a Member of Parliament. It does not extend to preserve your former position as Governor. Because of the conviction and sentence, Section 27(1) and (5) Constitution is activated and as a consequence you are disqualified by that law (s.27(1) and (5)) to continue to hold office as Governor under Section 19(1)(e) of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

9. By a copy of this letter, the Assembly Clerk of Gulf Provincial Government is now advised to call a meeting of the Provincial Assembly in accordance with relevant applicable law including the Assembly Standing Orders and elect or appoint an Acting Governor.

Yours faithfully,

HON. ANO PALA, LLB CMG MP Attorney General

This Government is serious about taking care of its citizens...

BENNY ALLEN Port Moresby

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Locals urged to tackle buai ban

THE Mekeo buai committee members met with Central Province leaders to put a proposal forward for the National Capital District Commission to consider how best the people of Mekeo can benefit in selling their produce to the people in NCD.

The buai committee members met during the week with Governor for Cental Kila Haoda and MP for Kairuku-Hiri Peter Isoaimo and the three LLG presidents of his electorate.

Mr Haoda urged the Mekeo leaders to plan for the future and all must work together for the benefit of all the Mekeo buai sellers and growers.

He told them to respect each other and approach the issue in a more coordinated way.

Mr Haoda told the Mekeo buai committee members to establish a core group and present a position paper to his office before

he meets with his colleague Governor of NCD next week.

Mr Isoaimo said betelnut is our culture and heritage and also a major income earner for the people and the buai ban issue must be approached in a more holistic and coordinated way.

Mr Isoaimo, who is also willing to assist his Mekeo people financially, also challenged them to regroup and organise themselves and take a new approach to tackle buai ban issue.

“The last 10 months didn’t take us anywhere and I want all of us to take a new approach to tackle the buai ban issue in NCD seriously,” Mr Isoaimo said.

The committee will meet again before the end of the week and a position paper will be presented by Governor Kila Haoda when he meets with NCD Governor Powes Parkop early next week.

BEST WOVEN BASKETS

AMALGAMATED GENERAL WORKERS’ UNION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

OPEN INVITATION

This announcement is to inform all workers that; Individual effort in resolving workplace problems seems to be ignored and or are never satisfied by the Management concern. Such has been experienced worldwide and PNG is no exception. The workers’ grievances were resolved through advocacy. When logs of claims lodged with an employer to seek better and improved working terms and conditions are achieved collectively. Opportunity is offered for you to achieve better and improved working terms and conditions with your employer through your membership with AGWU of PNG including your colleagues. ‘A bundle of broom stick is hardly broken except a single one’. AGWU of PNG provides such alternative for you.

Below questions and answers should assist you to know your rights to seek membership: -

1. Which law promotes collective bargaining and freedom of Association? International Labour Organization‘s Convention No.87 and 98 Sections 32, 33, 38, 43, 46, 47, 48 & 49 of the PNG Constitution including Section 39 and 63 of the Industrial Relations Act and Section 63A of the Industrial Organizations Act

2. Which Laws Guarantees workers’ to join or form a Union? The above laws in particular the Industrial Organizations Act.

3. Does the worker have to obtain permission from their employers to join AGWU? ABSOLUTELY NO.

4. Does the employer have any authority to approve individuals to join AGWU? It is individual’s rights to join or form any Union therefore; employers have no rights whatsoever to interfere, intimidate or threaten its employees from joining AGWU.

5. What is AGWU’s experienced with some employer organizations in the country? Few Employer Organizations in the country respect Employees’ rights but most Employers took issue on Union membership that employers have no standing on workers’ membership with AGWU.

6. Why employers took issues on employee’s membership? No satisfactory justification but is calculated and deliberate efforts from employers to avoid its employees pursuing logs of claims seeking better and improved working terms and conditions collectively.

Workers are invited to join AMALGAMATED GENERAL WORKERS’ UNION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA now for collective approach for a difference.

INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO WORKERS IN PNG TO JOIN AGWU NOW TO STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS COLLECTIVELY.

For further details or registration, contact the General Secretary or complete the slip below and return it to the above address.

ENTRY OR REGISTRATION FORM

I, Mr/Mrs/Miss...……………………………. hereby apply to register myself as a potential member of AGWU of PNG in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Union by which I agree to be bound. I enclose herewith my K4.00 for handling fees, entry or registry fees and postage.

Company Name:

Amaiu lights up electorate

By JACOB POK

THE residents of Moresby Northeast electorate in the nation’s capital continue to see tangible developments in their area unlike in the past.

Services such as water supply, roads and logistics and housing for schools within the electorate are among the list of improvements carried out by Local MP Labi Amaiu and his district officials.

Recently, Mr Amaiu who is also the vice minister for Sports, embarked on an ambitious task of lighting up his electorate with high efficiency Lighting-Emitting Dioed (LED) street lighting technology which are purchased from Korea.

According to Mr Amaiu, most of the lights have been installed and the installation is in progress.

“The high quality street lights would increase the actual amount of light and light up the streets of Northeast starting from the Boroko City centre. This will ensure there is enough light to ensure the safety of the people to freely walk around at night,” Mr Amaiu said.

He said the LED street lights were chosen over other brands due to the high quality lighting power that it produces with wide light rays. He added that the lights are durable and according to the manufacturer,

it could last for up to 15 years and more. He said the LED lights are much better than the other street lights installed in the city in the past.

“I hope the people appreciate that my goal is to think of the future when making decision on what is best for the electorate and to ensure that services I provide would last even beyond my time as a politician,” Mr Amaiu said.

The MP plans to arrange with NCD Governor Powes Parkop for a tour of the newly installed street lights to observe the quality of the new LED lights.

The areas where the new lights have been installed are Angau Drive Boroko, Hagwa Street, Okari Street, Tabari Place, Nita Street Boroko, Laurabada Avenue and Budoa Avenue.

ALOTAU a potential tourist destination is home to some of the best basket makers in Papua New Guinea. This Trobriand Island boy is on his way with his friend to Alotau main market to sell this beautiful woven baskets while most of his friends are in school. Shouldn’t he be in school? Picture: MATTLAM YAMES

NORTHEAST MP and Vise Minister for Sports, Labi Amaiu.

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Businessman donates to landslide victims

By MICHAEL KOMA

GOROKA businessman Simon Sia has donated relief food supplies to the landslide victims in Eastern Highlands Henganofi area last Thursday.

The rations include five bales of rice, 100 cartons of fish, 100 cartons of cooking oil and another 100 cartoons of noodles.

Mr Sia said such humanitarian aid is crucial “since we are together for a long time: both in good times and bad times.”

The managing director of the Bintangor Trading has also went to the aid of similar victims in the mountainous Watabung area last year.

Henganofi MP and police minister Robert Atiyafa and tribal leaders in the area had thanked Mr Sia for the generosity.

Apart from aiding natural disaster victims in the province, Mr Sia has also sponsored the Eastern Highlands representative rugby league team, the Goroka Lahanies, in the past years.

MP praised for service delivery

By PEARSON KOLO

THE people of Mul Baiyer Lumusa electorate in the Western Highlands Province are singing praises to their local MP Koi Trappe for his service delivery to his people.

The people of Mul Baiyer and Lumusa are now riding on PMV buses to get to the provincial capital Mt Hagen and back unlike in the recent past where buses were never seen because of the road condition.

The people of Lumusa and Ukuni have their roads upgraded with other services like health and education infrastructures now reaching their areas.

During a public gathering in Baiyer district last week, community leaders and councillors acknowledged and praised Mr Trappe for his consistency in delivering the basic services to his people.

Community leader and former LLG president Fukius Kau said during the gathering that Mr Trappe is a visionary leader.

“Our MP has concentrated on the important infrastructures which are the roads, bridges, health and education,” Mr Kau said.

“I particularly would like to thank the MP for maintaining and fixing the existing roads in the district because the many changes that we

MP urged to pay bills

BY PEARSON KOLO

A SERVICE provider in the Western Highlands Province is calling on a local member of parliament to pay his bill of more than K36,000.

The owner of Honey Hire Cars, William Noki who is also the council president of Muglamp LLG in the Dei district, has presented his invoice to the office of the MP for Mul Baiyer Lumusa and has given a month for his bills to be paid.

Mr Noki, who has been waiting for his bills for the use of one of his vehicles by the MP and his executive in 2012, has waited for almost three years for his payments.

Mr Noki said the MP’s electoral officer Wesley Maken and the Lumusa LLG president Paul Patrick hired his vehicle for eight days after convincing him that the MP was to use the vehicle for a peace ceremony in Lumusa district on of November 29 2012 and since then has never paid for the hire.

At a glance

SERVICE DELIVERY: The people of Mul Baiyer Lumusa electorate in the Western Highlands Province are singing praises to their local MP Koi Trappe for his intense service delivery to his people.

ROAD CONDITION: The people of Mul Baiyer and Lumusa are now riding on PMV buses to get to the provincial capital Mt Hagen and back unlike in the recent past where buses were never seen because of the road condition.

CONCERN: Our MP has concentrated on the important infrastructures.

see now are coming through our good road networks.”

Other leaders like Paraka Goiya, council James Jeremiah, Mano council Minimowa and cr Kewa Simi all said MP Koi Trappe is achieving many things in the electorate and this in turn is changing the lives of the people.

The leaders and people of Mul Baiyer said they will continue to support and assist their MP in his work to make Mul Baiyer, Lumusa and Ukuni a better place for people to live in and for businesses to invest.

LANDSLIDE victims flocked at the Henganofi district office last Thursday to receive relief food aid from the managing director of Bintangor Trading, Simon Sia. Picture: MICHAEL KOMA

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Bypass needs upgrading

BY HAIVETA KIVIA

THE K8 million Kumalu bypass on the Wau-Bulolo Highway is just a pilot track and needs further upgrading and assessment, says the Department of Works.

The department’s Morobe Provincial Works Manager, Kingsford Kassen, set aside statements made by provincial leaders and bureaucrats that the bypass was ready to be used and only needed a bridge over the headwaters of the Kumalu River.

Mumeng Local Level Government president, Okam Paton, had told a gathering at the LLG headquarters that the bypass was ready to be used but a bridge is yet to be built over the river.

Mr Paton named the con-

KINGSFORD KASSED: He is the Morobe Provincial Works Manager.

ARTICLE: Kumalu Bypass on the Wau-Bulolo Highway is just a pilot track and needs further upgrading and assessment.

tractor and asked why it had not built the bridge after the road contractor, HBS, had built the road.

However, Mr Kassen told the Post-Courier the bypass was a new cut and is classed as a pilot track. Further, the contract for the bridge is yet to be awarded.

“The road is a new cut and the next phase is to upgrade and strengthen it. Our engineers will assess it before the bridge is built,” he said.

The bypass track was constructed by HBS last year to ease the hazardous crossing on the lower part of the Kumalu River which runs right across the Wau-Bulolo Highway.

The river became notorious with devastating floods since 1999 as it decimated and buried the old Mumeng Government Station, which is now under tonnes of rocks and silts.

The river continues to play havoc on the road with its flooding and has claimed many vehicles and lives. It has also washed away villages in the Mumeng and Buang LLG areas.

It also affects the flow of business, especially for the Hidden Valley Gold Mine operated by Morobe Mining Joint Venture and Bulolo Forest Products.

TUNES TO OPEN LEGAL YEAR

Rural villagers lack banking knowledge

DESPITE increased participation in agricultural and commercial activities, most villagers in Finschhafen lack banking services and knowledge on the culture of saving money.

Social Impact Consultancy (SIC) managing director Meredith Tutumang said subsistence farmers and trade store owners in the district often raise money but there are no tangible evidence like incomes.

“The village people gain a fair amount of money from their products and services.

However, the money is spent immediately on bride price, compensation and church initiatives,” Ms Tutumang said.

According to studies carried out by the SIC, nearly 90 per cent of the villages are financially illiterate and the issue is one that has not been part of the government’s agenda.

The Bank of PNG has made much

awareness and it is currently appealing to commercial banks to have all Papua New Guineans financially included before the year 2050.

However, much effort is needed in education and providing banking services in the rural areas so that BPNG’s vision becomes a reality.

“For example, in the Yabem Mape LLG area, the community could have up to about K5000 entirely from the sale of their garden produce.

“However, they lack the knowledge on matters such as where they can save the little money they earn or where they can invest that money, to make it grow,” Ms Tutumang explained.

Rural banking is a great need for many parts in Morobe Province and other parts of the country so in most cases people spend much money to travel to cities or towns to access banking services.

Stable govt good for growth

A LOT of developments are now taking place throughout the country due to a stable government, says Nawaeb MP Gisuwat Siniwin.

Mr Siniwin told the people of Nawaeb District last week that services have been delivered to the people because of a stable Government.

He said in previous years, ministers and MPs were not able delivery to the people due to vote-of-no-confidence on the prime minister.

“We have witnessed infrastructure development such as the Lae/Nadzab four lane highway, the Lae Tidal Basin, Lae city roads and the Nadzab Airport,” Mr Siniwin said.

He said the Government has set a standard dialogue to bring in inves-

tors and business opportnuties are trickling to most major centres around the country.

Mr Siniwin also defended Prime Minister Peter O’Neill from what he said wree false accusations of misuse of public funds while in office.

“These are just allegations and are not true,” he said.

Mr Siniwin said the Government is now stable, which is very important as there are many multimillion kina project developments taking place around the country.

He said the Government is planning to develop the country’s major cities and it will cost a lot of money to do that.

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MEMBERS of the PNG Musicale Choir echoing the Lae SDA Memorial Church with one of its tunes to open the 2015 legal year in Lae yesterday. PICTURE: FRANKIY KAPIN

ENB schools will collect project fees

EAST New Britain schools will collect project fees from parents and guardians this year despite a national directive not to do so.

This is according to the ENB Provincial Executive Council (PEC), which set the upper limits for project fees recently to be imposed on parents and guardians of school children attending all ENB provincial schools.

Chairman of the ENB provincial government’s education committee Cosmas Bauk, in a statement, said they were told not to collect fees but the National Education Board had no control over the provincial schools.

He said the ENB PEC was the legitimate authority empowered by the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments and the ENB Provincial Education Act 1998 to set and impose limits on all fees payable by parents and guardians of school children.

He said neither the national education secretary nor his national

CPA branches out to New Guinea Islands

CERTIFIED Practicing Accountants

(CPA) PNG, the premier accountancy body in the country, now has a branch office in Kokopo for the New Guinea Islands region.

The regional office, which was opened last Friday, is one of CPA PNG’s major project in its efforts to strengthen its growth.

CPA PNG national president Daniel Biti said the new Kokopo investment cost over K150,000 a year and CPA PNG will do its best to support the new branch which was established for the region.

The Kokopo office is the second regional branch office in PNG. The first was opened in Lae, Morobe Province.

CPA PNG’s net assets are now valued at over K3 million and membership total is around 3700. Over 200 members are based in the New Guinea Islands region where 80 are fully qualified accountants.

The organisation started in 1974 as an association and in 1996, the organisation was enacted by an act of Parliament. According to Mr Biti, it is now attempting to revise and review the Accountants Act.

“The economy is growing and our profession is at the helm. We talk about economic growth but I do not see that happening back in the rural villages. That needs to translate and you and I play a vital role in that service delivery to our people,” he told accountants and invited guests who gathered for the opening.

Meanwhile, branch manager Jack Walom said they will now be rolling out courses as well as full CPA programs which include foundation accounting, financial accounting advance taxation and auditing.

Short courses will be run for the NGI Region but in the meantime, focus is on the local community.

Watchdog opens regional office

THE Ombudsman Commission opened its new regional office in Kokopo, East New Britain Province last week.

The New Guinea Islands Ombudsman Commission regional office is located at the back of Brian Bell near Pacific Industries.

At the opening were various dignitaries including Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua.

Mr Lua said the Government was now focusing near 80 per cent of its revenue on rural areas and this has caused organisations such as the commission to become more proactive in its role.

He said when he took over as Chief Ombudsman, he took stock of all the

facilities they were operating from and he made it a point to see for himself the environment his officers were operating in.

He expressed his delight with the newly completed regional office. He said they needed a lot of space to operate from, adding that it was the premium institution in the fight against corruption.

“Not only to the Ombudsman, but I am making an appeal to the courts as well that we need to be tough in the fight against corruption,” he said.

“We have an obligation to fight corruption right down to that level,” he said and urged everyone to join the fight against corruption.

At a glance

COLLECTION: East New Britain provincial schools this year will continue to collect project fees from students.

RUN: The project fees will aid in the smooth running of schools.

education board can dictate to or direct the PEC not to set limits on any form of school fees imposed on parents and guardians.

Mr Bauk said the inability of the Department of Education to effectively implement the Tuition Fee Free (TFF) policy resulted in a lot of schools in the province not receiving their full TFF funds or receiving only part payments in 2014, adding that about 10 elementary and primary schools did not receive any funding at all.

Even some secondary and vocational schools were on the verge

of closing before the end of the school year and the provincial government had to step in and assist these schools financially.

He said it was good that the TFF policy was enabling more children to enroll in schools. However, the increase in enrollment required more teachers and more school infrastructure.

Mr Bauk said while the Government has announced its commitment to build more school infrastructure, it is uncertain when this will be carried out. He said there was no guarantee that funds will be immediately available for schools to build at least one new classroom and a new teacher’s house this year when the subsidies have never been received on time.

Mr Bauk presented a submission to PEC which was passed and the project fees are specifically for new infrastructure, maintenance of existing school facilities and school uniforms.

PARENTS and students queue up outside a school office as they carry out registrations.

First crisis victim laid to rest

By ROMULUS MASIU

IN the early hours of February 5, 2015, a very significant event took place in the jungle of the Crown Prince Ranges in Bougainville.

The occasion marked the exhuming, the bringing home and the burial at Guava-Ositeka Village, the bones of Mathew Kove, the first victim of the Panguna landowner conflict in 1989.

He was killed by his own nephew, Mathew Miringtoro, whose remains were also brought home on the same day from Koromira Catholic Mission cemetery and buried alongside him.

Mathew Miringtoro was killed by security forces soon after he killed his uncle as a result of the militant’s Supreme Commander’s Francis Ona order.

After 27 years, this important event in the history of the Bougainville crisis was put to rest as a result of a

At a glance

EVENT: The burial of the bones of Mathew Kove, the first victim of the Panguna landowner conflict in 1989, at GuavaOsiteka Village.

EFFORT: The event put to rest the efforts of the Guava Emai Families’ reconciliation committee.

long and protracted reconciliation effort by the chiefs of Guava Emai families’ reconciliation committee that began in October 2009.

The chairman of Panguna Mine SML Osikaiang Landowners Association, Lawrence Daveona, who spearheaded the Guava Emai families funding efforts through the association in 2013, was a relieved man after the conclusion of the above event.

During the burial and reconciliation ceremony in a small chapel at Guava

Village, Mr Daveona and his elder brother Bernard Devata were in tears, seeing that their immediate uncle, late Kove’s bones and also their cousin Miringtoro’s were finally brought home from where they were buried and finally laid to rest.

Mr Daveona expressed his appreciation for the support given to him and the Guava Emai families’ Kove reconciliation committee by the ABG Mining Department and the ABG reconciliation office through the acting chief secretary, Chris Siriosi, Paul Coleman of BCL and his Panguna mine SML Landowner association executives.

He extended his gratitude to the executive manager of Panguna District Administration, Otto Noruka and Minister Jimmy Miringtoro, who were both instrumental in channelling funds for the cause.

some monies from our

Marena queries use of K1.25m boat fund

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

THE Autonomous Bougainville

Government member for Atolls, Frank Pasini Marena, is calling on the MP for North Bougainville, Lauta Atoi, to explain the use of K1.25 million.

The funds were approved in 2013 by the MP’s joint district planning and budget priorities committee for the repair of MV Nukumanu, which was bought to service the atoll people of Nissan, Nuguria, Tasman, Mortlock and Carteret islands.

Mr Marena said the money was approved to buy two new engines and carry out maintenance on the MV Nukumanu that is currently in Port Moresby waiting to be repaired.

He said he is not happy with MP Atoi as he has kept silent on the matter while his people are suffer-

ing from lack of transportation services. Mr Marena added that Mr Atoi should have used the K1.25 million to buy a descent boat instead of fixing the rundown ship.

He said Mr Atoi must explain to the people on the use of the allocated fund and when the MV Nukunanu will be available to provide shipping service for them.

Mr Marena is also questioning the MP why he funded a small boat to provide shipping to the atolls during the Christmas period that carried only 250 bales of rice and six people a trip, which cost the people of North Bougainville K140,000 to charter the boat.

He said: “The MV Rabaul Queen disaster had claimed so many lives, it is a warning and lesson that we should learn from because we don’t want an accident like that to happen to our people.”

Motuna MP leads reconciliation

BY ROMULUS MASIU

AUTONOMOUS

Bougainville Government Minister for Finance and Member for Motuna Huyono

Constituency of Siwai District in South Bougainville, Albert Punghau, has taken the lead in reconciling with former combatants in his area.

The reconciliation ceremony took place at the Hirino Elementary School where Minister Punghau reconciled with the former Bougainville Revolutionary Army from Siwai.

During the same occasion, Mr Punghau witnessed reconciliation between the former Horino BRA and the Horino Me’ekamui faction. The crisis-related issues and outstand-

ing cases between Mr Punghau’s family and the former BRA from the Siwai District.

Mr Punghau said Bougainvilleans must reconcile from their hearts and forgive and forget what had happened during the Bougainville Crisis.

He said as the mandated leader for Siwai District, he is taking the lead and every leader must follow suit and reconcile with the former combatants in their respective areas.

The ceremony was witnessed by the New Zealand Police, Regional Police Commander for South, Sgt John Popui, the Executive Manager for Siwai, Martin Tumuki, as well as several ABG Members.

BONES of late Mathew Kove and Mathew Miringtoro in their coffins ready for burial at their Guava-Ositeka Village in the Panguna District of Central Bougainville. Picture: JACOB IENU

Market Snapshot

PNG Ports records K51m profit for 2014

PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports), one of the State Owned Enterprises has announced about K51 million as its unaudited after-tax profit for the 2014 trading year which is more than double its 2013 financial results.

“These results come at the back of a stabilising economy, with revenue from slightly higher than those of 2013, due to increased efficiency programs at the Ports and strict control costs measures which has kept costs under 6% to that in 2013,” board chairman Nathaniel Poya said yesterday.

“Our volume and throughput analysis for the 2013 and 2014 finan-

The bottom line

cial years indicate that throughput has stabilised to 2009 levels due largely to the completion of the construction phase of the LNG project.”

Nonetheless, Mr Poya attributed prudent management of the economy by the Government has resulted in continued growth of Growth Domestic Product that has resulted in continued improvements that drives volumes in other sectors in relative terms.

The chairman said other important outcomes for 2014 include the successful completion of the 2013 audit, the asset verification exercise and the roll out of the account-

ing and terminal operating system to Madang Port, bringing to five the total number of ports that are using the Klein & Technology one operating system.

He stressed that the Board and Management is keen at ensuring the rollout of these technologies throughout the port network.

“To this end, Rabaul and Wewak Ports are going to be next to use the new operating system which we envisage to be completed by June 2015.

“The Klein N-Tier Upgrade is currently in progress, when completed, it is envisaged to improve productivity and efficiency of op-

erations of these ports.

“This will enable productivity gains for all stakeholders involved in the logistics chain and trickled down through economy” Mr Poya said.

He said PNG Ports is also almost up to date with its statutory tax obligations.

It has already settled the 2011 income tax of K12.5 million and lodged its’ returns for 2012 with its 2013 return expected to be lodged by February 2015.

During the 2014 financial year, it has paid approximately K39.5m in taxes to the Internal Revenue Commission.

Tim’s Place, a restaurant in Albuquerque, serves breakfast, lunch and hugs and is owned by a man with Down’s Syndrome.

ORO BAY repair work underway last year. The repair work to the wharf is completed and the port is now handling bigger ships, moving cargo for the restoration programs in Oro Province.

Oil Search gets K2b gas payment

PNG-based Australian oil and gas company Oil Search Limited (Oil Search) has gained a windfall of $US807 billion (K2.12 billon) from the PNG LNG Project after the project reached financial completion.

Last week ExxonMobil PNG Limited has announced that the project reached its financial completion, unlocking the $US807 million for Oil Search which all the revenue from the first shipment of LNG cargoes up to the last 65th shipment was made.

It was not clear as to how much in total revenue from the 65 LNG shipment were collected and how much the rest of the joint partners (JV) received and is expected to generate from their shares in the project for the duration of the project’s lifespan.

OSL earlier said the first distribution to JV partners would see it receive a payment of $US700 mil-

At a glance

OIL SEARCH LIMITED: Most of the Company’s assets are located in PNG, where it holds an extensive spread of oil and gas production and exploration licences. - oilsearch.com

GAIN: Oil Search Limited has gained a windfall of (K2.12 billion) from the PNG LNG Project after the project reached financial completion.

lion (K1.83 billion), which represented its share of cash flow, net of operating costs and the funding of debt service reserve accounts, generated by the Project since it came on-stream in the first half of 2014. A further $US107 million(K281.20 million) payment from cash currently held in escrow by Oil Search to support its lender obligations during the construction phase of

the PNG LNG project will also be released and flow back to Oil Search.

Oil Search managing director Peter Botten said the cash will help the company’s growth activities, “in particular, LNG expansion and development, which remains attractive based on the current oil price outlook.”

“Reaching financial completion is a major milestone for the Project, which has now been operating very reliably, and at levels above expectations, for more than eight months,” Mr Botten said.

The company has said previously it would consider boosting dividend payments to shareholders once the cash starts rolling in. But like many rivals grappling with tumbling oil prices, it faces a tricky decision determining how much cash to conserve for growth projects and how much to return to shareholders.

MRA committed to Frieda River project

THE Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) is committed and stands ready to work with a project developer to develop the Frieda project in West Sepik Province.

This assurance was given to PanAust, the new developer of Frieda River Copper-Gold Project and its shareholders by the MRA managing director Philip Samar last Thursday at the Mining Haus.

The company’s board of directors who were in the country last week for a familiarisation visit of the project were told that MRA on behalf of the government of PNG, had a very clear, transparent and competitive regulatory framework and policies to ensure projects are developed to mutually benefit all stakeholders including the government, companies and landowners.

Mr Samar said this while responding to questions from the directors on common issues such as how the government deals with landowner issues including benefits and royalty

distribution, and regulatory processes including issuance of exploration and mining licenses.

While in the country, they also met with the project’s landowner communities at the project site earlier last week.

The group acknowledged the government’s efforts to attend to issues arising from the project and expressed satisfaction on the progress of the project so far.

Their visit is understood to symbolise the company’s official entry into the PNG mining industry.

The Frieda Project ownership is jointly shared by PanAust 80% shareholding, and Highlands Pacific 20%. The PNG government has an option to acquire on sunk cost basis, up to 30% of the project.

Average annual production is projected to be 100,000 tonnes of Copper and 160,000 ounces of gold.

Project development capital is estimated to cost $US1.5 billion to $US1.8 billion.

Sime Darby issues share offer of NBPOL

NEW Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), one of the world’s largest fully integrated producers of sustainable palm oiL said the cash offer by Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd (Sime Darby Plantation) for all the issued and to be issued shares in NBPOL are at a price of GBP7.15 or K28.79 per share (Offer).

In a statement yesterday, the Company yesterday was said to have received a notice of variation from Sime Darby Plantation shortening the offer period.

The variation notice was issued by Sime Darby Plantation in accordance with Rule 15(1) (d) of the Takeovers Code 1998 of Papua New Guinea (Takeovers Code) and in accordance with an exemption granted by the Securities Commission of PNG pursuant to Rule 15(1)(e) of the Takeovers Code.

The variation notice provides that Sime Darby Plantation is shortening

the offer period from its current 149 days to 124 days.

The offer will now remain open until 5 pm on February 23, 2015 (PNG time), for acceptances received within PNG or 1 pm (UK time), on February 23, 2015, for acceptances received within the UK, unless the offer is withdrawn or the offer period is further extended in accordance with the Takeovers Code.

Offerees who accept the offer prior to the revised closing date (February 23, 2015) will receive the Offer consideration by March 2, 2015.

The company said following the satisfaction of the European Union merger filing condition of the offer document, the main conditions of the Offer have now been satisfied.

It stated that the additional time provided by the notice of variation dated January 6, 2015, is no longer required.

PAN-AUST board of directors during a meeting with MRA managing director Philip Samar at the Mining Haus in Port Moresby last week.

Family on outing to Malisga by boat

Dept welcomes Aussie transport aid

IN WELCOMING the commencement of TSSP Phase

Two by from the Australian Governemtn, Secretary of the Department of Transport, Roy Mumu in a statement last month said: “Australia is a long-term partner of PNG, and we have been working together over many years to improve transport infrastructure.

“The Transport Sector Support Program will be guided by the priorities contained in PNG’s National Transport Strategy and assist in the implementation of the strategy’s actions to address the challenges in the transport sector.”

The Transport Sector Support Program works closely with PNG land, maritime and aviation transport agencies to develop a safe, reliable transport

system which enables economic and social development in PNG. Australia’s fi nancial support provided to PNG through Phase One of the Transport Sector Support Program totalled PGK 950 million over the period 2007-14. This included delivering road maintenance projects in PNG to the value of more than PGK700 million, PGK121 million of which was spent on road maintenance activities in Bougainville. Expenditure supporting projects in the aviation and maritime sector totalled PGK45 million and included vital projects for baggage handling security and air traffic control technology.

If all road kilometres sections worked on over this period were placed end-to-end, they would stretch over 17,500kms. This is

an equivalent distance to travelling from Port Moresby to Canberra six times; or the total length of PNG’s coastline.

The management of the second phase of TSSP was awarded to SMEC International.

The management contract value is AUD 149.7 million (equivalent to approx. PGK319.6 million). SMEC International will be responsible for administering the program, including recruitment and performance management of project activities.

SMEC International will also provide fi nancial and procurement oversight for all projects and ensure implementation is in accordance with the Joint statement on zero tolerance to fraud in Australia’s aid program in PNG.

THIS family was recently on a trip to Finschhafen making a brief stop at Malisga Island , Finschhafen district of Morobe province before continuing their fi nal leg of the journey to the township of Gagidu, Finschhafen. Words and picture: FRANCO NEBAS

PNG buoyed by cruise boom

SHIPPING companies are taking an increasing interest in PNG, with passenger arrivals surging and even big ships now heading to PNG’s shores, Brian Johnston reports.

The cruise news looks good. According to a report by the Pacific Islands Forum in mid-2013, the cruise industry has grown 125 per cent since 2005 and 143 new ships have been launched. Particularly strong growth has been recorded in the Asian and Australian markets; a record 834,000 Australians took a cruise holiday in 2013. That puts Papua New Guinea in a geographically advantageous position.

What’s more, there’s plenty of room for expansion: currently only one in a hundred international cruisers (about 200,000 passengers) visit any Pacific island. In PNG, only five per cent of holiday arrivals are cruise passengers.

‘Cruise tourism in Papua New Guinea is facing a bright future with increased international interest in cruising and increasing willingness from cruise shipping companies to include Papua New Guinea on Pacific itineraries,’ concluded a recent report from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA).

Significant markets

A Coral Princess cruise ship meets local canoes in PNG. Credit: Coral Princess Cruises.

The US, New Zealand, Japan and the UK are significant markets, but half of all cruise visitors to PNG are Australians. That sector is also significant because many cruises are one way, with Australian visitors often extending with land-based holidays.

The PNG Government is taking notice. In 2010 it launched its fi rst comprehensive cruise strategy which looked to improving port facilities and opportunities for shore excursions, waiving visa fees for cruise passengers, and reducing pilot fees by half. With expedition cruising already established, the aim was to entice luxury mid-size ships and even big operators.

In October 2014, the TPA launched a trade website to educate and in-

form travel agents. It has also emphasised PNG as a cruise destination in international trade shows and tourism events in Europe, the US and Australia.

While new jetties have been built in Kitava and Kaibola, among others, Milne Bay became the focus of efforts, since Alotau already had a good port and is well positioned on potential cruise routes from Australia. Wharfs were extended and new public facilities added.

In 2013, the arrival of P&O Cruises’ 2050-passenger Pacific Dawn in Milne Bay showed the strategy delivering results.

‘Pacific Dawn’s entry into the region allowed a new wave of low-cost travellers to see the beauty and thriving culture of PNG at a much lower price point than travel to PNG previously allowed,’ says Stuart Thompson, TPA’s Australia and New Zealand representative.

‘It’s a game changer. Mass cruising provides greater consumer awareness, growth in demand and increased repeat visitation. As we’ve witnessed with Vanuatu, cruising has the potential to attract a percentage of past passengers back to the destination for an extended holiday.’

Growing presence

Currently P&O Cruises visits five PNG ports and will add Kavieng and Madang early this year.

It has already announced a significant increase in its cruise presence, with its 2015-16 program including its fi rst back-to-back PNG cruises from Cairns, and its fi rst dedicated PNG cruises from Brisbane and Sydney.

‘The addition of two more ships has given us the flexibility to increase our PNG itineraries and open up new destinations.

P&O’s return to PNG was possible because of the strong support of the national government and local authorities, particularly in relation to the provision of infrastructure to accommodate cruise ship visits,’ explains P&O Cruises’ CEO Ann Sherry.

www.bapng.com

P&O cruise liner Pacifi c Dawn arrives in Milne Bay. Credit: David Conn

‘MV Chebu’ service commended

IT’S been a fantastic time for the grassroots travelling public now that MV Chebu has entered service between the main ports of Lae, Kimbe, Rabaul and Buka.

The consumer demand for a cheap alternative travel by sea is now being met.

And now, at 48 metres length and 1,052 gross tonnes, the MV Chebu is a big boat by Coastal Shipping standards. Its size gives extra comfort to the travelling public going through large waves of 2 or 3 metres without any observable rocking.

“It’s a comfortable ride,” say

many passengers.

“It’s a smooth ride all the way” said a passenger.

With ten VIP beds in four rooms, its also almost fit for royalty. There are three twin bedrooms and one family room of four.

The Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio and Lady Esmie Ogio took the plunge and experienced the comfort of the VIP cabins themselves. The air conditioning is really first class and you get to share the same food as the Captain’s table.

When his Excellency the Gover-

nor-General left the ship he gave glowing remarks about this new ship. “A level of excellence in passenger shipping not previously experienced in PNG coastal vessels.” Or words to that effect.

What is surprising about the shipping service is that the passenger fare may be aimed at the grass roots but the comfort level at the VIP cabins would suit many international travellers as well. It should not be too surprising that the value for money offered means that the VIP cabins are often fully booked.

Also word seems to have gone

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around that the upper deck has a nice airconditioning and the travelling public is willing to pay an extra K10 per night for that nice air conditioning experience. The upper deck is often fully booked on the Lae-Kimbe sector as consumers feel that the extra K10 payment delivers in extra comfort.

Overall, consumers take 26 hours to travel the long Lae to Kimbe route and only sixteen hours to travel between the other three ports of Kimbe, Rabaul and Buka. Good scheduling of trips overnighting means you barely feel the hours rolling away.

You get on board in the afternoon, watch a movie or two, go to sleep and wake up next morning ready to arrive in next port.

And of course its easy to sleep with ease on MV Chebu as its large size means a comfortable ride unless going through thunderstorms.

On hiccups and port congestions

There are the occasional hiccups and current problems with wharf congestion.

Wharf availability is good for passenger shipping in Buka and Rabaul.

However there are current problems of wharf congestion affecting passenger shipping in Kimbe and Lae. These may cause delays of an hour or two from time to time.

Lae congestion is still existing as the Lae Ports Extension opened on December 17 has not been implemented due to unknown operational problems. We call them growing problems of PNG ports. The official opening was just for television and has not yet relieved congestion as nobody is currently using the extension yet. This is expected to be fi xed in a month or two.

Kimbe congestion will last till around August 2015. The Passsnger jetty in Kimbe was shut in early January for extension work for six months work. In the meantime passengers

will suffer delays while PNG ports ‘changes into something better”. These are growing problems. Hopefully the travelling public can look to better wharf facilities in Kimbe after middle of 2015.

In the meantime, the travelling public will have to experience inconvenience.

Chebu Shipping Managing Director Fabian Chow says, “These inconveniences in Lae and Kimbe port congestions are outside our control. Passenger shipping services must share one set of port facilities with cargo trade until PNG ports grows its capacity. Delays are costing us extra money and we suffer when Passengers get impatient waiting to get off the wharf.I also hear the fishing industry of PNG is suffering from port congestion. Its becoming critical for the new Ports Extension of Lae to open as thousands of jobs in the tuna canning industry are also at risk. Tuna Canning factories are delaying expansion plans due to delayed provision of adequate port facilities. These delays run into cost of hundreds even thousands of jobs. Government wants jobs for mothers and school leavers. They need to fi x up infrastructures so private sector can create the jobs” Says Mr Chow.

On Providing transport services to AROB for PNG games

Mr Chow says, “I am very impressed with the professionalism of the AROB sports management in moving and organising their team under whole lot of constraints. In the end they did it better than a lot of provinces and it really showed in the medal count. The MV Chebu saved the AROB a lot of money and inconvenience by moving most of the team from Buka to Lae in one go. In the end the AROB transport arrangements proved to be one of the best in PNG.

New dockside for Motukea

CIVIL engineering fi rm Curtain Bros has big plans for Motukea Island, as it prepares to build new dockside facilities alongside the soon-to-be relocated Port Moresby Port. General Manager Justin McGann outlines the Motukea plans, and other new company projects, to Business Advantage PNG Motukea Island in Fairfax Harbour, just 11 km north-west of Port Moresby, is the PNG home of the Curtain Group and activities on the island include shipping, wharfage, ship repair and a range of building and civil engineering activities.

One of its larger operations is Papua New Guinea Dockyard which has been operating since 1999, repairing a wide range of vessels up to 110 metres in length and weighing up to 4000 tonnes.

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

“The shipyard has also construct-

Boat management of local ferry lauded for support

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Chebu management is proud to be associated with a very dedicated and competent set of sports administrators. Of course it wasn’t all smooth such as loading passengers and who to tell the bad news that there was not space on the boat.”

We did it for AROB better, faster and cheaper than any alternative. That’s our policy to set the very high standards in the marine trade and create a commitment to safety from top to bottom.

Training is expensive but pays off in better services

MV Chebu is committed to work with training partners like Pacific Maritime College and other institutions. Its an ongoing process to meet safety standards.

We like to think that the payoff from better trained staff is better commitment to their work and getting it done right “first-time every-time”.

Staff old and new enjoyed their training in life raft survival techniques.

ed quite a number of ‘new build’ barges up to 1000 tonnes capacity.

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

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

“We’ll have our dry dock for Panamax repairs, and we’ll have our shipyard where we want to build

new ships. For example, we’d like to build defence force ships for PNG.”

Port expansion

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

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

‘After completion of the sale, negotiations are expected to cover

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the construction of extra facilities to allow PNGPC to move the entire Port Moresby operation of PNG Ports to Motukea.’ Expansion plans include building various facilities for port-related operations, including an examination scanning facility already underway for PNG Customs.

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

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

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Offers in respect of Packages 2 to 7 to be received no later than 4 pm Friday 20 February 2015 by email to mcurrie@dmsdavlan.com.au. Enquiries in relation to Package 1 (AOC) to be made immediately to mcurrie@dmsdavlan.com.au or jwhittle@bris.bentleys.com.au.

Tanker prospects remain mixed

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

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

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

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

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

www.hellenicshipping.com

Advertising: 309 1113 or email tatuts@spp.com.pg

Editorial: 309 1046 or email kialaw@spp.com.pg

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IF YOU looking for a convenient family location in Boroko than we have the place for you. Moale real estate is the safe place for you and family located right behind Coronation Primary School in a quiet peaceful family home setting with eight town houses containing four bedrooms. Two joined houses separated in the middle with four bedrooms each on the top floor with the main bathrooms while the downstairs contains a spacious living room, kitchen and dining area.

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

The property is up for rent at K2, 5000 per week both cooperate clients and individuals excepted. The backwards will contain swimming pools and Hauswin barbecue areas for tenants to use at their convenience. The property will also contain backup tanks and genset to avoid problems that might arise in case of water or power break down. The houses are also on the markets for people who are in town for business or pleasure for certain duration of time and looking for a comfortable, convenient and quiet location. For inspection please do not hesitate to contact Sheila of Bruff Ltd on mob# 72324839 or email: renwuatai@gmail.com

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SECURE FOR yourself by far the best in a compound of fourteen town houses. Spread over multiple levels is a timeless classic that is sure to please. Be greeted at ground level by a warm wooden panelled kitchen, an open lounge to capture your imagination on the next flight up and sleeping accommodation to top off (three bedrooms and an ensuite). The patio overlooks the swimming pool, with ease of access to the BBQ and entertainment area. This unit is within walking distance to the kids play ground and tennis court which are some facilities on offer at this compound. Back up water and power available and security onsite 24hours.

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Please contact the sales team at Strickland Real Estate on Ph: 3200944 or Email: salesdesk@sre.com.pg for inspections.

New premiere now at city cinemas

TO ALL movie fanatics out there, look out this week for our movie premieres at both the Paradise and Waigani Central cinemas in Port Moresby only.

First up, Fifty Shades of Grey is the hotly anticipated fi lm adaptation of the best-selling book that has become a global phenomenon. Since its release, the “Fifty

Shades” trilogy has been translated into 51 languages worldwide and sold more than 100 million copies in e-book and print—making it one of the biggest and fastest-selling book series ever.

Stepping into the roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, who have become iconic to millions of readers, are Jamie Dor-

nan and Dakota Johnson. In addition, joining Dornan and Johnson in the cast are Luke Grimes as Elliot, Christian’s brother; Victor Rasuk as José, Anastasia’s close friend; Eloise Mumford as Kate, Anastasia’s best friend and roommate; Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, Christian’s mother; Rita

Ora as Mia, Christian’s sister; Max Martini as Taylor, Christian’s bodyguard; Callum Keith Rennie as Ray, Anastasia’s stepfather; Jennifer Ehle as Carla, Anastasia’s mother; and Dylan Neal as Bob, Carla’s husband.

Fifty shades of Grey is being released this week in major cities around the world.

It stars Kelly Marcel and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca, E L James and Dana Brunetti is expected to hit the box office with ticket sales running out fast. The movie is rated R and is a 125 minute Drama/Romance that should be a great entertainment piece for Valentine’s Day

THE group during a break from rehearsal before last Thursday night’s performance.

BJ Nagura at reunion gig

BJ NAGURA was formed back in 2007. They recorded their fi rst album with Latitude Zero Productions in 2008.

The following year they scooped up three awards during the annual Yumi FM Music Awards for Song of the Year “Mori’e” and Group of the year, (3) Listeners Choice for song of the year.

They also toured Rabaul, Kokopo, Lae, Madang, Goroka, Hagen, Alotau, Buka.

Most of the members are now mature and have their own families.

The band members are, Richard Ukia who is also known as Brixiie; (vocals) Bryan Lapila, (vocals/bass) David Mune junior (vocals/guitars) and Jordan Semoso, (keyboards) and also the chief engineer for Latitude Zero Productions.

Studio musicians who help out areJosephat Loksi on drums, Julian Semoso, and Sinai Kiliu on additional keyboards.

Their advise to upcoming musicians is to be obedient, committed, humble and have respect for other musicians.

Robby T, Sharzy to perform at club

ON VALENTINE’S night, your entertainment and events specialist, Sports Inn is hosting, for a one night only performance, Robby T, Metere Crew and Solomon Island music king, Sharzy.

If you haven’t planned anything to top off your Valentine’s Day celebration this year with your loved one or special Valentine, you can come along to the Sports Inn this Saturday night February 14, to experience a live performance of one of the hot favourites on the airwaves at the moment.

No need for any introduction to the track because it has now become a household favourite, the star and group included and you know the song that we are talking about.

So come and sing along to your favourite songs by Sharzy. He has made an impact in PNG by winning

scores of fans and continues to do so with his ever sensational, and unique voice.

You could even come down for a chance to meet the artists themselves.

And if you are concerned about security, the Sports Inn is just the place to be because it ensures your short stay to be entertained is safe and secure with security personnel up all night and ware there for your assistance.

But that’s not all, because of its alfresco setting, you will enjoy the atmosphere at the Sports Inn with its spacious drinking and entertainment area including the dancing arena.

You can chat with your friends in the open. You can even share afew drinks with your Valentine’s Day date on the night.

Noel Asi to launch latest album

FROM a roadie to a frontman, Noel Asi described by many as “Galo Koremana” (Black Crow) hails from Gabagaba village in the Central Province. He started as a roadie carrying guitars from one gig to another, Noel never gave up following his dream to be a lead vocalist until he recorded an album with the popular string band “Bamogu Union”.

After recording the album , Noel left the scene for more than 10years working in and around the Highlands area. He became a solo artist in the mid 1990’s when he recorded

the song “Tuari tauna” which became one of the famous hits of the album following the loss of life of soldiers in the Bougainville Crisis. He then recorded five albums with the CHM recording studio in Port Moresby and two albums with Senirewa label (volume 6 and the latest volume 7). For this achievements, he extedns special acknowledgment to Lister Kosman Laka, Dika Dai and the CHM crew for their support and hard work in recording the five albums. The same is extended for Mark Makali Tau and the Se-

nirewa crew for the two albums recorded. “To Bamogu Union, Avakas, Calipso for your contribution respectively. Mr. Mikes Gorogo and Bige Petroleum for your super support, thank you,” Noel says.

Noel will be launching his volume 7 album on Saturday February, 14, 2015 at the Granville Motel (6-Mile) with the event taking place from 7pm till late.

Tickets are now selling at K30 per head. For more enquiries on the tickets, you can contact Senirewa Studio on Ph: 7647 1482.

ROBBY T of Metere Crew.SOLOMON Islands music star Sharzy.

Grande, Big Sean sizzle at Grammys

ARIANA Grande and Big Sean made a sizzling appearance on the Grammys red carpet.

The Hollywood couple confi rmed their romance late last year and the pair dazzled together at the 57th Grammy Awards on Sunday, with Ariana donning a stunning white Versace gown and her dapper beau wearing head to toe Yves Saint Laurent.

And although Ariana is no stranger to huge awards ceremony, the star admitted she had butterflies over being nominated in the Best Pop Vocal Album category this year.

‘I’m just excited to be here,” the 21-

year-old told E!’s Ryan Seacrest. “I never expected to be nominated in my fi rst couple years of doing this, so it’s an honour and I’m very excited. But I’m super nervous though!”

But Big Sean was impressed with how his girlfriend dealt with her anxiety.

He thinks Ariana was very composed throughout.

“She’s pretty calm. She’s cool. She says she’s nervous but she handles it great, man,” the 26-year-old rapper gushed.

Ariana, who put on a sweet performance of her single Just a Little Bit of Your Heart during the Grammys ceremony, revealed she is excited about

Stefani: No kids, Pharrell’s not my boyfriend

many things happening in her life this year.

Her The Honeymoon Tour, which is in support of her 2014 album My Everything, kicks off in Missouri later on this month.

“My tour starts the end of February, so I’m very excited,” she said. “We just had our fi rst rehearsal in a venue, like in a real arena the other day and I was having a heart attack. It was so emotional.”

Ariana will put on 39 shows across Europe and America on her The Honeymoon Tour, which kicks off February 25 and ends June 16.

GWEN Stefani reveals her kids once asked if she ever dated Pharrell Williams.

The 45-year-old No Doubt songstress married British musician Gavin Rossdale in 2002 and the couple share three sons together?Kingston, eight, Zuma, six, and 11-month-old Apollo.

Gwen’s kids are huge fans of Pharrell, who she has worked with on music for several years, and when she started bragging about her professional relationship with the Happy singer, her sons proposed an interesting question.

“They were such huge fans and I started showing them pictures on the internet,” she told E!’s Ryan Seacrest on Live From the Red Carpet at the Grammy Awards. “They were like, ‘Wait a minute, was he your boyfriend?’ I was like no.”

Last year Gwen starred on The Voice US with Pharrell and the pair most recently collaborated on theme song Shine, which was created for the recently released family fi lm Paddington

Pharrell is father to six-year-old son Rocket with his wife Helen Lasichanh and Gwen is elated Rocket is into her tunes.

‘It’s interesting because now Pharrell’s little boy has discovered my music and it’s flipped,’ Gwen noted. ‘He’s all into going back and discovering [my songs]. It’s interesting to have kids [that are] so into music. It’s just fun!’

Fortunately fans are likely to hear fresh sounds from Gwen soon.

The singer revealed she and No Doubt are planning to release a few tracks later on this year.

“We did some music right before I got pregnant so we do have some stuff on fi le if that’s what you want to call it,” Gwen said. “We’ll probably be doing more. We have about five big shows coming up.

“I think we’re doing a little bit of this, a little bit of that, which we can do nowadays.”

www.music-news.com

THE pair performing at the Grammys recently.

For advertising, call 309 1017 or email nkweyaula@spp.com.pg

Bridging training and workplace

SKILLS training providers and relevant government bodies are urged to work together to ensure recipients establish a career pathway from what they learn.

This was highlighted by PNG Life Education Institute (PNGLEI) Director Rai Gini this week when announcing the institute’s orientation for 2015

PNGLEI was established in 2011 aimed at providing appropriate skills demanded by industry. It was also set up to empower underprivileged youths have the opportunity to seek employment.

PNGLEI enrols six batches of students every year.

Each batch consists of 100 students. Every batch undergoes three phases of training which includes;

Phase 1 consists of basic theory lessons that run for six weeks.

Upon completion, then come the second phase which is the next six weeks with organisations or job placement. The job placement comes in three categories which are: On the job training, casual

employment and permanent employment. These depends on the requirements by industry.

The successful completion of both phases one and 2 will enable you to graduate with a Certificate of Attainment.

“75 percent of students from PNGLEI get permanent employment while the remaining from each of the batches are usually the ones that come back for the phase 3 part of the training,” Mr Gini said.

The Phase One program at PNGLEI consists of 6 modules which are:

Sales and Marketing

Merchandising

Basic Business Studies

Customer Service

Purchasing

Communication Skills

“Running this module of training is aimed at meeting training needs and students to be multiskilled so that they have a set of skills that will help them meet industry demands,” Mr Gini said.

He also stressed that the training that PNGLEI is offering is different from formal education. The training was more industry centred and as Mr Gini put it “training is more about acquiring jobs knowledge”

Meanwhile, he further appealed to relevant authorities to seriously look into empowering young people who get ‘pushed out’ of the formal education system.

“What we are doing at PNGLEI is picking up the pieces from where the school leavers end up and providing an alternative for them so that they can still be someone later on in life, “ Mr Gini said.

He also acknowledged the same efforts by the National Capital District through the initiative to train unemployed city youths by the Governor Powes Parkop. He further urged that the different electorate MPs in Port Moresby should be working closely with private training providers like PNGLEI to help skill underprivileged youths to prepare them

GRADUATION TIME

PNGLEI trainees. Their second phase of training is 6 weeks on job placement. The job placement on the job training, casual and permanent employment.

THESE file picture shows graduating students of Porgera High School at their graduation towards the end of last year.

PNG universities participate in Australian meet

THE NORTHERN Queensland city of Cairns recently played host to the joint Australian Archaeological Association/Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (AAA/ ASHA) conference.

Over 500 members, academics, archaeologists, students, consultants and interested persons from Australia and around the world attended the three day conference in December last year, held at the Pullman Cairns International. The conference participants heard from over 300 presentations under the theme of Culture, Climate and Change: Archaeology in the Tropics.

The conference was officially opened by Professor Chris Cocklin, the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor of James Cook University, the host university. Among the attendees were two representatives from the University of Papua New Guinea, Jason Kariwiga and Teppsy Beni, from the UPNG Archaeology Lab Group.

Three sessions held on the opening day concerned the archaeology of Melanesia, and recent advances in Pacific archaeology. These sessions brought together current archaeological research and fi ndings on Melanesia and primarily PNG.

When asked why PNG archaeology was being discussed at an Australian conference, joint convenor of the sessions, Dr. Matthew Leavesley of James Cook University together with Dr. Anne Ford of University of Otago replied that PNG was fundamental to Australian archaeology.

“Australia and New Guinea were once joined by land across the Torres Strait and therefore we have

a shared history that can only be accessed through archaeology”, Leavesley said.

For Kariwiga and Beni, it was the fi rst for both to attend an AAA conference. It was an opportunity to listen to and gauge the current direction of Australian and Pacific archaeology. It was also a chance to establish new networks with professionals from Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

“The conference has been an eyeopener, not only because we got to meet many leading archaeologists and listen to some great presentations, but the fact that PNG and Melanesian archaeology was acknowledged as integral throughout the conference shows our region’s importance,” Kariwiga said.

A poster exhibition and photo competition was also held, detailing current excavations and archaeology around Australia and the Pacific. Archaeology has been taught at UPNG since the university’s founding, however, PNG has only a handful of qualified local archaeologists.

These numbers were dealt a blow in October this year with the untimely passing of Herman Mandui, formerly chief archaeologist at the National Museum and Art Gallery. The late Mandui’s contribution to PNG archaeology was acknowledged by a number of speakers at the conference.

The AAA conference is an annual event attracting hundreds of people who debate Australian and Pacific and South East Asian archaeology. This year marked its 37th meeting.

NEW CLASSROOMS ENROLMENT STILL

OPEN

At Kopkop College we set achievement targets at the beginning of each academic year. For example; in 2014 our Grade 10 scored 86% Distinction and Credit after the national examination.

‘Kopkop College stands on strong principles of quality education’

We invite you to enrol your child at Kopkop College for quality education in 2015.

Enrolment is still open for 2015 for Early Childhood Learning (3 – 4 years old), Primary school (Preprep – Grade 6), and Secondary School (Grade 7-12).

For further information call us on 326 1822 or 326 2839 OR email: admin@kopkopcollege.ac.pg

IT WAS reported that majordevelopments took place in various high school and primary schools in Madang province in 2014 like this new two-storey classrooms at high school in Transgogol.

JOURNALIST REUNITES WITH HIS PARENTS

AUSTRALIAN journalist Peter Greste is reunited with his parents at Brisbane International Airport following his release from an Egyptian prison. Mr Greste and two colleagues were arrested in Egypt in 2013 and convicted of spreading false news and aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Picture: BBC

Melbourne allowing high-rise development

HIGH-RISE apartments are being built in Melbourne at four times the maximum densities allowed in places like Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo, a report has found.

The report, written by Melbourne City Council planner Leanne Hodyl as part of a Churchill Fellowship, found that policy regulating Melbourne building approvals was “weak, ineffective or nonexistent”.

Ms Hodyl said that continued high-density growth could have long-lasting effects for the city.

The report found that towers were being approved that were “very tall and that squeezed out the space between buildings”.

Construction was approved “with little regard on the effect on the residents within, the impact on the streets below or on the value of neighbouring properties”, the report found.

“Melbourne’s planning

REPORT: High-rise apartments are being built in Melbourne at four times the maximum densities allowed in places like Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo.

CITY COUNCIL: Found that policy regulating Melbourne building approvals was “weak, ineffective or non-existent.

CONTROL PLANS: Melbourne’s planning control offer cheap density to developers as they are able to build unlimited density.

controls offer “cheap density” to developers as they are able to build unlimited density with limited need for a community contribution.

“Not one of the five cities that I studied – New York, Vancouver, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul - is choosing to develop in this way.

“There was general consensus from the planning

and design experts that I interviewed who manage and study these established, globally successful cities that the densities being delivered in central Melbourne are too high and many questioned whether they could deliver long-term liveable outcomes.”

Melbourne City Council’s planning chairman Ken Ong said efforts were underway to deal with continued growth.

“We are trying to consistently make sure that the plans and strategies are followed by industry because we need the density because people want to live in the city,” Cr Ong said.

“We need of course to have infrastructure, open space and community services to complement that and that’s the challenge we are always looking at in terms of our other strategic actions.”

In June last year, Melbourne City Council reported that the municipality was the fastest grow-

ing local government area in Australia.

The Council said 3,000 new dwellings were completed in 2013, with that number expected to rise to 8,000 by 2015.

By 2021, the council expected the residential population to be over 150,000 up from around 116,000 in 2013.

The Churchill Fellowship report found that Melbourne’s density was at 6,290 people per hectare, almost double that of Hong Kong and New York.

Planned development in Melbourne’s inner-city Southbank came under particular criticism in the report.

“There was general consensus that the building densities (in the order of 30:1) and urban form shown in this block were unsupportable,” the report said.

“There was frequently genuine surprise that Melbourne’s policies enable developments of this density to be built.”

LEGAL BID FAILS

THE Marshall Islands nuclear disarmament lawsuit against the United States has been dismissed by a US federal court, Radio New Zealand International reports. San Francisco-based Judge Jeffrey White said the court had no standing to judge the effectiveness of negotiations to bring about cessation of the nuclear arms race. The Marshall Islands said the lack of disarmament action by the US has left the small Pacific Island nation exposed to the dangers of existing nuclear arsenals and the real probability that additional states will develop nuclear arms. The Marshall Islands was the ground zero for 67 US nuclear weapons tests from 1946 to 1958.

PALAU JOINS LOBBY

PALAU has joined the international ocean monitoring collective known as Project Eyes on the Seas. The Marianas Variety reports that Project Eyes on the Seas is a technology system designed to help monitor, detect and respond to suspected illegal fishing activity. This system was developed by Satellite Applications Catapult, a British company established through a UK government initiative and the Pew Charitable Trusts, a US NGO. Palau president Tommy Remengesau has asked Pew to assist with an enforcement plan.

BOARDS GOING

The report quoted University of British Columbia urban design professor Scot Hein as saying that the Southbank project was a “mistake”.

“It overreaches with respect to the scale, form and spacing of proposed individual buildings collectively contributing to a questionable civic image for Melbourne,” Professor Hein said.

New York chief sustainability officer Gary Lawrence was reported as saying the development was “crazy”.

“This cluster of towers would never be built in New York,” he said.

“Citizens wouldn’t like the intensity of the ground cover (the tower footprints) because city people are walkers.

“The idea of creating a liveable city at this density is crazy.”

Cr Ong said he did not believe that the rate of growth in central Melbourne was “dire”. -ABC news

Armed man holed up in Launceston house

A SPECIALIST police team has been joined by an armoured police truck at a house in Launceston where a 35-year-old man is reportedly holed up with a firearm.

The military-style

Bearcat truck arrived soon after the speciallytrained officers were

called to the property in Cedar Avenue in the suburb of Newnham at about 11:30am.

A man who is believed to be armed has barricaded himself in a house.

The man’s partner and children were inside the property, but police said they left at about

12:20pm.

Police said they now believed the stand-off was sparked by an argument related to family disputes.

The Tasmania Police special operations unit is at the scene, and negotiations with the man are continuing.

Police have closed Cedar Street and evacuated residents from several nearby houses as a precaution.

Last September police attended an incident in the same street, where a man armed with a gun barricaded himself in a house for three hours. -ABC news

FIJI’S ministry of education says the boards of all government schools will be dissolved and all operations will be overseen by the ministry as it seeks to transform them to “model schools”. Minister for Education, Mahendra Reddy, says all government schools, both primary and secondary, need to reflect the vision of the ministry, Fiji Live reports. All boards and committees which terms have expired will not be renewed while those boards whose terms have not ended have been invited to discuss the new vision with the school heads, it reports Dr Reddy as saying.

LIST OPPOSED

THE Northern Marianas is opposing the proposed listing of 23 local species under the Endangered Species Act, RNZI reports. The CNMI’s department of lands and natural resources acting secretary Richard Seman says the government plans a “unified front” against the proposed listing. The Marianas reed warbler is one of the so-called endangered species. But Mr Seman says it is not endangered because of low numbers but because it is found only on Saipan.

TONG VISITS POPE

KIRIBATI President Anote Tong has met with the head of the Catholic church in Rome. Pope Francis met with President Tong at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, RNZI reports. A statement released by the Vatican after the meeting said the main topic of conversation had been the protection of the environment and the danger of climate change.

COUPLE AVOID JAIL

AMERICAN Samoa’s chief procurement officer, John Emil Kruse and his wife Elaine, have been sentenced to home confinement for conversion of federal property. US district judge Beryl Howell did not jail the Kruzes, but sentenced both to four years probation, eight months of home confinement.

BEARCATS at the scene

Kiwi-born killer deported to NZ

TINA Bayliss is furious. For nearly two years the grieving mother has pushed for changes to legislation that would see better monitoring of serious offenders deported from Australia to New Zealand. However, nothing seems to have changed, she says.

In 2011, Bayliss’ 13-yearold daughter Jade was murdered in Christchurch by Jeremy George McLaughlin – a man who had spent time in jail for

bludgeoning to death a teen in Australia before he was deported in 2001.

Now she is outraged to hear that Rebecca Papalii, another Kiwi-born child killer, has also been sent back to New Zealand where authorities have no way of monitoring her.

“Nothing has been done ... and I feel so sick to the stomach,” Bayliss told Stuff.co.nz today.

BACK IN NZ: Rebecca Papalii was one of three

VICTIM OF HIT AND RUN

Sydney hostages recall cafe ordeal

SURVIVORS of December’s Sydney cafe siege have been giving accounts to rival TV stations of their ordeals during the 17-hour stand-off.

Cafe employees Jarrod Morton-Hoffman and Joel Herat described their plans to stab the gunman in the jugular. Another hostage described being forced to hold signs on behalf of the gunman in the cafe window.

Two of the 18 hostages were killed along with gunman Man Haron Monis when police stormed the Lindt cafe.

Last month a coroner’s inquest heard that one hostage was shot dead by Monis and another was killed by police bullet fragments

people convicted for the 1999 kidnap, torture and killing of a 14-year-old in Perth.

DAVID WHITE

BACK IN NZ: Rebecca Papalii was one of three people convicted for the 1999 kidnap, torture and killing of a 14-year-old in Perth.

“My main worry and serious concerns are that this person has no parole conditions and possibly no access to rehabilitation.”

Bayliss said she had written to Prime Minister John Key and Justice Minister Amy Adams after learning about Papalii’s deportation.

She planned to organise a nationwide campaign that would push for changes to legislation so serious offenders were monitored when they returned home.

“I just want to try and protect families here in New Zealand.” -Stuff news

SP SPORTS AWARDS 2015 NOMINATION FORM P NOMINAMINATIONFORM M SPORTS AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

Conditions of the SP Sports Awards 2015

Nominations will only be accepted on this Official Nomination Form in respect to performance and achievements during the period January 1st to December 31st, 2014.

There are twelve categories in the SP Sports Awards 2015, of which the following eleven can be nominated for:

1. Male Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a male athlete in 2014

2. Female Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a female athlete in 2014

3. Team of the Year – Best International Performance by a team in 2014

4. National Performance of the Year – Best National Performance by a male athlete, female athlete, or team in 2014

5. Community Sports Initiative – Best use of sport to help address social issues at a community level in 2014

6. Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Best Performance by a male athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

7. Junior Female Athlete of the Year - Best Performance by a female athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

8. Best Sportsperson with a Disability – For athletes with a physical or intellectual disability who have performed outstandingly in 2014

9. Sports Official of the Year – For individuals who have excelled as a Coach, Referee/Umpire or Administrator in 2014

10. Sports Photo of the Year – For best photo taken in 2014 capturing a sporting moment at any level of sport

11. Sports Media Award – For media coverage of sport or a sporting event in 2014 by an individual, programme, organisation or online site

*People’s Choice of the Year - Public to be given opportunity to vote on which finalist from the first four categories they feel deserves to win this award Nominations can be submitted by anyone including national sporting associations, individual sportsmen and women, coaches, administrators, clubs, sports officials, the media and the public for any of the above awards.

The SP Sports Awards are for all sporting persons and bodies. The decision of the Awards Selection Committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Closing date for nominations in all categories of the SP Sports Awards 2015 is Wednesday 25th February, 2015.

Additional information on terms and conditions or criteria can be obtained from the:

PNG Olympic Committee Inc. on:

Telephone: (675) 323 0114 323 0108 or 71001063

that ricocheted off hard surfaces.

The Nine Network and Seven News both aired Sunday evening programmes on the siege.

Mr Morton-Hoffman told Nine Network television he decided not to attack Monis, because such an effort would endanger the other hostages.

“We are so close we could do this but you know someone would need to jump, hold his arms down and then I would stab him in the jugular.

But he had his gun, he had it on his knee and I could see that it was pointed directly at [hostage] Julie Taylor’s back,” he said.

Facsimile: (675) 325 1851 Email: alepani@pngoc.org.pg

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko NCD

NOMINATION DETAILS

I would like to nominate________________________________________ (name) Of _________________________________In the category of_____________________________________________________ (eg Male Athlete of the Year)

IMPORTANT

Nominations MUST include supporting documentation describing major achievements in 2014 to enhance your nomination and forward to:

PNG OLYMPIC COMMITTEE INC.

PO BOX 467, BOROKO, NCD. 111, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko. NCD

DETAILS OF PERSON NOMINATING ARE AS FOLLOWS:

LEVI Griffiths, who was hit and killed by a car while walking home from a birthday party in Darwin’s rural outskirts. Picture: ABC

TINA Bayliss at her daughter Jade’s grave. Picture: Stuff

Bali Nine families take pleas to Jakarta

JAKARTA: The families of condemned Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have taken their pleas for mercy to Indonesia’s capital.

Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, are set to face the firing squad this month for their 2005 failed heroin smuggling effort.

Their mothers, Helen Chan and Raji Sukumaran, and brothers, Chintu Sukumaran and Michael Chan, met Indonesia’s Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

The commissioners promised to back their fight for a moratorium of the death penalty, to spare the Australians and more than 50 other drug offenders on death row.

Commissioner Sandra Moniaga said it had been moving to meet the families, who were assured they had an ally.

“We know this is a difficult situation for the families and they seem a bit frustrated also,” she told reporters.

“We encouraged them to keep on fighting, to continue their struggle. “But we know it’s very hard for them.”

The families had wanted to deliver a statement outside the presidential palace but were thwarted by severe flooding in central Jakarta.

However Ms Chan has told the ABC’s Four Corners program, in an interview to be broadcast on Monday, that she wanted to beg President Joko Widodo for clemency.

“Give him a chance to change his future,” she said.

The Bali Nine duo’s Australian and Indonesian lawyers will announce their latest legal efforts at a media conference in Jakarta later on Monday. An application for a second judicial review - examining past errors of law and the efforts the men have made to improve themselves and fellow inmates over the past decade. -AAP news

Japan stops Syria-bound journalist

JAPAN’S authorities have seized the passport of a journalist planning to travel to Syria, local media say.

It was necessary to confiscate Yuichi Sugimoto’s passport in order to protect his life, the authorities said.

The 59-year-old photographer, who had planned to enter Syria on 27 February, described the move as a threat to the freedom of press.

Two Japanese hostages were killed by Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria in January.

However, Mr Sugimoto told reporters that he had no intention to visit areas controlled by IS.

It is said to be the first time the Japanese government has taken such a step.

The foreign ministry says it is in accordance with a provision in the country’s passport law, that allows a confiscation in order to protect the passport holder’s life.

Mr Sugimoto, who has covered conflict zones in Iraq and Syria before, insists he has always taken precautions and retreated when in danger.

-BBC news

China executes billionaire

BEIJING: A Chinese mining billionaire said to have links with disgraced former security tsar Zhou Yongkang and who once launched a bid for Australia’s Sundance Resources has been executed for multiple murder.

Liu Han, his younger brother Liu Wei and three accomplices were condemned to death in May for “organising and leading a mafia-style group”, murder and other crimes.

Their appeals were unsuccessful and all five were put to death on Monday, the Xianning Intermediate court

At a glance

THE CONDEMNED: Liu Han, his younger brother Liu Wei and three accomplices were condemned to death in May for “organising and leading a mafia-style group”, murder and other crimes.

LINK: The Chinese mining billionaire is said to have links with disgraced former security tsar Zhou Yongkang POWER BASE: Sichuan was a power base of Zhou Yongkang, who is now the subject of a corruption probe.

in the central province of Hubei said on its verified account on China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo. The five met with their “close relatives” before the execution, the court said

in a separate posting. “The executed criminals’ legal rights were fully protected,” it added.

Liu Han led private company Hanlong, which is based in

the southwestern province of Sichuan and launched a takeover bid of more than $US1 billion ($A1.29 billion) for Sundance, a listed Australian iron ore firm, in 2011.

But the deal collapsed in 2013 after the Chinese firm failed to follow through. Chinese media reports said at the time that Liu Han had been detained. Sichuan is one of the power bases of Zhou, who once enjoyed vast power as China’s security chief but whose targeting in a corruption investigation was announced in July.

The influential business

Cambodia arrests

magazine Caixin has reported that Liu Han once had dealings with a businessman believed to be Zhou’s son. State media have also hinted that the gang had connections to central government officials. Zhou was handed over to prosecutors in December.

The official announcement of the long-rumoured probe into Zhou made him the most senior member of the Communist Party to be investigated since the infamous Gang of Four - a faction that included the widow of founding leader Mao Zedong - were put on trial in 1980. -AAP

temple

nude photographers

TWO American sisters have been arrested in Cambodia for taking naked photos of each other inside the country’s famed Angkor temple complex in the latest nude stunt by tourists to spark anger, officials say.

Lindsey Adams, 22, and her 20year-old sister Leslie were discovered taking “nude pictures” inside the Preah Khan temple at the world heritage site on Friday, the Apsara Authority - the government agency managing the Angkor complex - said in a statement.

“The two tourists admitted that they really made a mistake by taking nude photos,” the statement read. It is the second time in the last fortnight that tourists visit-

ing the sprawling temple complex have been caught without their clothes.

Three French tourists were deported last weekend after they pleaded guilty to taking nude pictures of each other inside another temple within the complex.

Chau Sun Kerya, a spokeswoman for the Apsara Authority, said the women’s actions were offensive because Angkor is considered sacred ground.

“Perhaps they did not know Angkor is a holy site. But their inappropriate activities affect the sanctity of the place,” she told AFP.

Keat Bunthan, a senior heritage police official in north-western Siem Reap province, said officers

were now questioning the women. “They lowered their pants to their knees and took pictures of their buttocks,” he said, adding that he was not sure yet what charges they might face for their action.

The three deported French men received a suspended six-month prison sentence on two charges - public exposure and making pornography - and will be banned from re-entering Cambodia for four years.

The trio were caught just days after a series of photos of Asian women posing nude at ancient Cambodian temples went viral online and outraged officials who vowed to step up efforts to prevent similar stunts. -ABC

PEOPLE have held silent rallies for journalist Kenji Goto, who was killed by IS militants in Syria last month. Picture: BBC

Rebels invite Miss Universe to peace talks

COLOMBIA’S Marxist rebels have invited the newly-crowned Miss Universe Paulina Vega, a native of the country’s Caribbean coast, to attend their peace negotiations with the government, in a bid to end 50 years of fighting.

The 22-year-old Ms Vega, a business student and model from the northern city of Barranquilla, was named Miss Universe in late January and said in interviews she would be willing to travel to the talks.

“We have read with interest your desire to contribute with your good

Merkel takes Ukraine plan to Obama

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to brief US President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday on a peace plan to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Germany and France have tried to reach a deal with Ukraine and Russia amid renewed fighting between the pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian government troops.

The Washington talks come as the US considers sending weapons to Ukraine’s troops - a move Mrs Merkel opposes.

Russia denies accusations of sending troops and supplying the rebels.

The Ukrainian government is locked in a conflict with Russian-backed rebels which has claimed more than 5,300 lives and driven 1.5 million people from their homes.

There is pressure in Washington on President Obama to adopt a tougher stance, the BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan reports from the US capital.

Some officials, as well as senior Republicans such as Senator John McCain, argue that some form of military support is necessary, our correspondent adds.

Mrs Merkel told a security conference at the weekend that she could not “imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily”.

-BBC news

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NATURAL CONCERNTRATED COFFEE

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NATURAL

works to reaching peace,” the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said in a statement on their website.

“We salute your willingness to travel to Havana, at this time we invite you to make a visit,” added the FARC, which has been holding negotiations with the government in Cuba since late 2012.

The FARC did not say how Ms Vega’s visit would help advance the peace talks. She has yet to respond to the invitation.

-ABC news

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CONTAIN CAFFEINE

INSTRUCTION: Add 1 part of Concerntrated Coffee and 4 parts of water.

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should be roasted - light, medium or dark roast and grounded before to be used to make coffee beverage. Use one table spoon of ground coffee per one cup of water

STORAGE:

This pack has one-way aroma valve, which allows the gases produced by roasted coffee during the storage to escape but dosen’t allow air to enter the coffee pack. This way of storage preserves the essential oils and aroma from destroying by surounding air to keep its wonderful flavours.

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COLOMBIAN rebels have invited Miss Universe Paulina Vega to peace talks with the government. Picture: ABC/AFP

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Washington on Sunday. Picture: BBC

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VIOLENCE IN UKRAINE SURGES

THREE people were killed and many more wounded when a shell hit a hospital in the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Violence has surged in recent weeks. More than 5,000 people have been killed in a conflict which began in the east last April. Picture: BBC

Egypt soccer riot leaves 22 dead at stadium

TWENTY-TWO people have been killed in clashes between Egyptian police and Zamalek football club fans at a Cairo stadium, the state prosecutor said, in the country’s deadliest sports violence since dozens died at a match in 2012.

Witnesses said people were crushed in a stampede when police used teargas to break up a crowd trying to enter the stadium from which they were barred.

According to the health ministry, at least another 25 people were wounded in the clashes.

Demand for journo’s freedom

OTTAWA: Canada is pushing Egypt to immediately release Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian who is set to be retried this week while also awaiting deportation.

“Canada is deeply concerned with the announcement that a retrial date has been set despite assurances that Mr Fahmy would be released along with his colleague, Peter Greste,” said Lynne Yelich, minister of state for consular affairs.

“Canada calls for the immediate release of Mr Fahmy,” she said in a statement.

Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, journalists with the Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera channel, were originally sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for allegedly aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood, along with Australia’s Greste.

-AAP news

Protest over Hebdo cartoons

LONDON: Thousands of British Muslims have protested against cartoons of Mohammed in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in a demonstration near the office of Prime Minister David Cameron.

The crowd marched to Downing Street on Sunday holding signs reading “Charlie and the abuse factory”, “We love Prophet Muhammad more than our lives”, and “To insult is not freedom”.

The violence prompted the government to postpone the Egyptian Premier League indefinitely, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Local police said the sup-

porters were angry members of the Ultra White Knights, a group of hardcore Zamalek fans.

Police fired tear gas to disperse them, before the Zamalek supporters let off fireworks, police and witnesses said.

“We were inside the stadium when the clashes began outside. There was a police car on fire and they were shooting birdshot and tear gas,” a witness told AFP.

“The people fled into the desert to escape” the clashes in the north-eastern Cairo

stadium, he said. Egypt’s interior ministry restricted the number of spectators allowed into the stadium to 10,000, and tickets quickly ran out. At least 25 people were injured, with most suffering broken bones and bruising, the health ministry said, according to state news agency MENA.

The match continued despite the violence, provoking further outrage among the fans.

Zamalek defence player Omar Gaber was later suspended for refusing to play

in the match in protest at the violence, a statement from his club said.

Outside a Cairo morgue where the bodies were taken, dozens of relatives wept and wailed while others pored over a list of the dead trying to identify loved ones.

“The youths are supposed to be building this country and the police are killing them,” one man shouted. Others scuffled with morgue security men who were blocking their access.

-ABC news

Speakers addressed the protest and held communal prayers, before representatives delivered a petition signed by over 100,000 British Muslims to Cameron’s office.

The petition describes cartoons of Mohammed as “an affront to the norms of civilised society”.

After a deadly jihadist attack on Charlie Hebdo’s offices in Paris in January, Londoners had queued to buy the following memorial issue which featured a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed on its front cover. -AAP news

Jordan pounds Islamic State with dozens of air strikes

JORDAN announced it has carried out dozens of air strikes on the Islamic State terror, as a top US envoy said Iraqi troops would begin a major ground offensive against the jihadists in the coming weeks.

Jordanian air force chief Major General Mansour alJobour said the kingdom had launched 56 air raids since Thursday as part of an international assault against IS that Washington said was beginning to bite.

Jordan vowed an “earthshattering” response after

The bottom line

the extremist group captured one of its air force pilots, Maaz al-Kassasbeh, and later burned him alive.

“On the first day of the campaign to avenge our airman Maaz al-Kassasbeh, 19 targets were destroyed, including training camps and equipment,” Maj Gen Jobour told reporters.

“So far, the campaign has destroyed 20 per cent of the fighting capabilities of Daesh,” he said, using another name for IS.

Maj Gen Jobour said more

than 7,000 IS militants had been killed since Jordan began participating in coalition air strikes.

US secretary of state John Kerry said the 2,000 strikes of the aerial campaign, launched in September, were beginning to win back territory and deprive the jihadists of key funds.

The air war had helped to retake around 700 square kilometres of territory or “one-fifth of the area they had in their control”, Mr Kerry told a security conference in Munich.

He did not specify whether the regained territory was in Iraq or Syria, but said the coalition had “deprived the militants of the use of 200 oil and gas facilities ... disrupted their command structure ... squeezed its finance and dispersed its personnel”.

John Allen, the US coordinator for the anti-IS coalition of Western and Arab countries, said Iraqi troops would begin a major ground offensive against the jihadists “in the weeks ahead”.

-ABC news

There is no winner in war or tribal fight. Loss of love ones and destruction of properties will reign on both sides.

A SQUADRON of United Arab Emirates F-16 fighters arriving in one of Jordan’s air bases to support it in strikes against the Islamic State group. Picture: ABC/AFP

Solution to puzzle SL0848

stars

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

In mid-January, your ruler Mars moved into the most strategic portion of your chart, beginning a complex and often confusing cycle. While you’ve learned a great deal, you’re unclear how you’ll benefit from those insights. Be patient. With Mars there until the 20th, there’s still plenty to be discovered.

April 20 - May 19

For you, keeping your word is vital. But, as you’re all too well aware, not everybody is as conscientious about such matters. In fact, one particular individual seems not to care or notice. That’s true. Their attitude is completely different from yours and, even more important, is unlikely to change.

May 21 - June 20

Often in life you’re faced with those who insist you should plan ahead more. While their intentions are good, they’ve no idea how your life works. Tempting as it is to explain, it would only confuse them and annoy you. Ask for one suggestion, thank them, then gently but firmly change the subject.

June 21 - July 21

Obviously life would be a lot easier if you could simply make plans and proceed as intended. But with Mercury only just ending its retrograde cycle and changes in circumstance, even the simplest of arrangements are unlikely to go as anybody imagined. Knowing that, ensure from the outset that what you organise is flexible.

July 22 - August 22

After the ups and downs of the past several weeks, everybody’s on edge. Consequently, it’s easy to misunderstand unusual ideas or offers and, perhaps, be offended by them. Try to overlook these feelings. Although others’ attitude could use some improvement, what they have in mind is very much worth exploring.

August 23 - September 22

What seem setbacks at the moment could, when you’ve had some time to think about them, turn out to have been opportunities in disguise. With your ruler Mercury resuming forward motion, you’ll begin to view certain situations that seemed worrying as worth exploring. What you learn will amaze and surprise you.

September 23 - October 22

You don’t think of yourself as stubborn and, if asked, others would agree that you’re very easygoing. Still, there are one or two matters about which your views are very rigid. You’ve just been informed of necessary changes. Obviously, you’ll battle these. Don’t. They’re actually in your best interests.

October 23 - November 22

By and large, your instincts for those rare moments when others are being deceptive are amazingly accurate. However, with so much in transition and Mercury just ending its retrograde cycle, even you might be wrong. Knowing that, wait, watch and see what you can learn over the next few days.

November 23 - December 22

In December, the precise Saturn moved into Sagittarius. Since then, events have forced you to take an exceptionally detailed approach to plans. This is applying increasingly to elements of your everyday life. Annoying as this has been, it’s forced you to be precise from the outset, which has reduced those last minute emergencies.

December 21 - January 19

The emotionally intense Full Moon may have been a week ago. However, you’re still dealing with the heightened feelings it triggered and, similarly, changes in circumstances. While, initially, some seemed worrying, the more you’ve learned, the clearer it has become that, once the dust settles, these will be in everybody’s best interests.

January 20 - February 17

As somebody who’s an air sign and, therefore, a logical thinker, when things go wrong, you ask questions. While usually that will give you the answers you need, with Mercury just concluding its retrograde period in Aquarius, those facts may be partially flawed or, at least initially, make little sense.

February 18 - March 19

Tempting as it is to confront the incorrect or illogical views of one particularly difficult individual with facts, you’d regret it. Although it seems they’re chatting with others, they’re so absorbed by their own ideas that they aren’t actually listening to anybody else. Speak to them, but wait until their mood changes.

Polum’s efforts recognised

ATHLETICS

LONG time Athletics Coach Naomi Polum has won the inaugural Oceania Athletic Association Womens Award based on her very significant contribution to the Sport over a period of 50 years.

The decision was announced during the Association’s Congress Meeting on the Gold Coast last weekend. Athletics

PNG President Tony Green collected the award on behalf of Polum who now goes forward with the winners of each of the other five Continental Area awards to the Final in August. The winner of the IAAF Women in Athletics Award will be announced during the IAAF Congress in Beijing in August this year.

Fiji sprints worry

PACIFIC GAMES

THERE is a common belief among Fijians that they are the fastest on the track in the Pacific and this has been shown in previous Pacific Games where Fiji has dominated the sprints events.

But it looks like Fiji is slowly losing its grip over the sprints and possibly in athletics in the region.

There is only but one sure shot sprint champion who is predicted to bring gold in the men’s 100m and 200m.

Banuve Tabakaucoro’s prowess in these two categories is well-known even to the extent that at the 2013 Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna, French television journalists were waiting for Banz to run below 20 seconds in the 200m.

He clocked 10.33s to shave a second off former record holder Jone Delai’s time of 10.34 when he ran in the final of the Pacific Mini Games 100m event in Wallis and Futuna. But unlike yesteryears, when Fiji also dominated in the middle and long distance

there is no Fijian that is likely to win the 400m, the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000, the 3000m steeplechase and the marathon.

Isireli Naikelekelevesi was the last middle distance champion and after the likes of Daven Prakash Sharma and Parshottam Lal, no athlete has been a gold medal winner in the long distance as well.

Athletics Fiji president Joe Rodan agreed that Fiji is no longer an athletics powerhouse in the region and a lot of work is needed.

And just like the Fiji men, the women have had a hold on the sprints, but it no longer is.

Makelesi Bulikiobo Batimala was Fiji’s last sprint queen.

Makelesi dominated the 100m, 200m, the 400m and to date holds the national 800m record as well.

Papua New Guinea’s track queen who has been dubbed as the PNG iron woman, Toea Wisil runs a personal best of 11.41s in the 100m, Fiji’s current fastest time is 12.21s by teenager Younis Bese.

Rodan said PNG was pump-

ing money into athletics as the Pacific Games and the host nation would be a force to reckon with in July.

He said the state of athletics was reflective of the management of the sport in the past but this has changed.

“As you know we were the new committee that came in last year. We came in because of the fiasco that was happening in athletics and it virtually came to a stage where we were told to get the house in order. We needed to get back into the IOC and get the funding,” Rodan said.

“Soon as the new committee came in we realised that the Pacific Games were on this year and we put in a strategic plan of where we want to be in the Pacific Games. We cannot get right back to the top because it is a long process.

“After discussing the 2015 Games, we agreed that worst case scenario would be Fiji coming back with eight gold medals but there is a slim chance of getting another six. This depends on the development that we will be doing right now leading up to

the Games. We have only six months left to the Games.” Athletics is looking to take 15 male and 20 female athletes to PNG and while 44 gold medals are at stake, Fiji is looking at its lowest medal count in the Pacific Games in athletics.

Rodan agreed that Fiji women would be fighting for silver when it comes to the sprints.

“Toea (Wisil), she has been around for some time. She is based in Perth. She trains there. There is no doubt that she will win gold with the time she is doing.

“All other Pacific nations will be competing for the silver medal,” he said.

“Our development plan is looking at growing the sport over the next four years. We want to get athletes back in the sport, get them back in the game. We have to create an environment where athletes themselves want to grow with the sport. We have a very good group of young athletes and given four years’ time they will be there with the best in the region.”

The first of the three nation-

al trials to pick a national athletics squad happened over a week ago. Rodan said the new administration was looking to take athletics where it used to be and the roadmap starts with the Pacific Games.

“Athletics is not what it used to be. We have very few senior athletes left and the performance in the Mini Games was not satisfactory in terms of the overall team performance,” Rodan said.

“We have a plan but it will take time. We are a new administration and we want all athletes, even the long distance ones based in the West to be part of this trial so we have a fair idea on what our team looks like.”

Rodan has promised that with the development plan in place, Fiji will get back to where it used to be and soon enough a new sprint queen would emerge.

He is also confident that all disciplines including field events will have a Fijian within medal contention but like all good things this will also take time.

Shalveen Chand –Fiji Times

“I was very proud to accept the Award on behalf of Naomi” said Green. “This is a thoroughly well deserved award which Naomi won against strong competition from Australia and the Pacific islands. Naomi will be invited to attend the Congress in Beijing in August and we wish her every success as her name now goes forward to the panel of judges who will determine the World Winner.”

The key business of the IAAF Congress will be the election of a new President and Council for the next four years. Lord Sebastian Coe will be standing for the Presidency as will Sergey Bubka of Ukraine, the former world record holder in the Pole Vault. Coe attended the Oceania Congress last weekend and pledged to make time in his busy schedule next year to visit PNG. The man who spearheaded London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and then Chaired the Organising Committee ofa hugely successful Games was expected to visit PNG for the Pacific Games but a clash with the IAAF World Youth Championships in Columbia made that impossible.

Houra clinches fifth title

BY KILA NAO VOLLEYBALL

HOURA came out stronger in the fi fth set to hold off Kazens to win the Nick and Bonnie Alan Volleyball Cup in the Under 21 division.

Houra won three sets to one in an exciting play-off on Friday at Tatana village, National Capital District. This is Houra’s fifth title to continue their dominance.

From the offset it was Kazens who had the upper hand with their usual line up of Lohia Lohia, John Willie, Igo Vagi, Gabe Ako, Ako

Lusi and setter Pinsi Harry to take out the opening set 25-22. Houra then came good following some changes to the line-up to take the next two sets 25-17 and 25-21, with good defensive blocks from the Daera brothers Arnold and Mahuta, Raho Gia and Billy Anton. Kazens to their credit showed some fight to take out the fourth set 25- 20 and level the match at two sets apiece. However in the fifth set, power hitter Arnold Daera came to the fore to turn the match around with his flair, when it looked like Kazens were heading for an upset

win. The talented teenager made several telling blocks and his trademark quick spikes to send Kazens rocking, when they were leading 8-5 at the change of courts.

It was going to be all the way for Kazens who increased to a 1311 lead and almost certain to wrap up the match with Lohia Lohia firing his spikes from all angles of the court.

But it was Arnold Daera who made the difference with setter Billy Anton who controlled the flow of the ball and stage a late rally to win 16-14 and take the Cup again.

FIJI sprint hope Younis Bese.

NAOMI Polum

Wisil pipped at finish line

ATHLETICS

PAPUA New Guinea women’s sprint champion Toea Wisil was edged out at the finish line in the 100m A race during the recent Glynis Nunn Shield Meet in Brisbane, Australia.

The ‘Jiwaka bolter’ got away to a great start and was sure for all money to take out the race until the last metre from the finish line.

Wisil tightened up at about the 80 metre mark to allow Australian Commonwealth Games 4x100m relay runner

Michelle Cutmore ran over the top of her at the end.

Cutmore clocked 11.85 seconds, Wisil 11.80 seconds and in third was Caitlin Sargent with 11.94 seconds.

Wisil and Cutmore are regular challengers on the Australian track scene.

In the 200m, Wisil again got a good start on the field and ran a very strong bend, entered the home straight close to three metres in front of the field and eventually winning by about half a metre from Sargent, an Australian Commonwealth Games representative.

Wisil won in a time of 24.38 seconds ahead of Sargent in 24.47 seconds and in third was Larissa Chambers with 25.26 seconds.

The 27 year old currently

holds the national record for the 200m with a time of 23.46 seconds (set in 2012) and 400m with a time of 53.19 seconds (set in 2010).

Her personal best for the 100m is 11.41 seconds. She recorded a season’s best 11.44 seconds in the semi-final of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year.

The national record holder for the 100m is still being held by former sprinter Mae Koime with a time of 11.37 seconds she set in 2007.

Kwikila to host super 9s

RUGBY LEAGUE

THE Digicel Super 9s southern leg will be staged at Kwikila station in the Rigo District of Central Province this weekend.

The two-day tournament has attracted 16 teams.

The teams in their respective pools are: Goilala Karuka, Red Backs, Tauruba Mosbi, Souths Taudia (pool A), Koiari Nagava, BB Hawks, Hekari Tarangau, Irupara GK (pool B), Boera Sailors, Hiri West, Aroma Coast, Kerema (pool C), Mosbi South Settlement, KAK Bang 36, Oro Butterflies, SSG Roosters. Round robin matches will be played on Saturday with the play-offs on Sunday.

Competition organisers visited the venue last Friday and met with the Kwikila community who expressed excitement in hosting the rugby league spectacular.

Kwikila Councilor Viritoga

Herea said the community have prepared the oval and have arranged with families in Kwikila to assist with billeting teams.

The event is expected to have Rigo MP Ano Pala, Central Province Governor Kila Haoda and Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko witness the inaugural kick-off.

Hobie Cat training camp gets underway

BY KILA NAO HOBIE CAT

THE PNG Hobie Cat sail training squad members are currently undergoing a two week training camp that will enable them to improve their performance and prepare for the XV Pacific Games in July.

This is the third session held so far from a series of four camps under the guidance of national coach Upu Kila Snr.

The first camp was held in April last year in Port Moresby and the second in Sydney towards the end of the year.

Kila said the training has since improved over the last few months.

Kila said following training camp, the team will be attending the Queensland State Championship during the Easter weekend.

“This will be followed by the fourth training camp to do the finishing touches in June,” Kila added. “I am quite impressed with the sailors but we need to put extra efforts because a total of nine countries will be participating in the Hobie Cat,” he said.

“Our toughest opponents are the Tahitians, New Caledonians and the Fijians who have some of the best sailors in the

region, but I’m confident that we will match them on home waters” added Kila.

The training squad in pairs includes Boisen Numa and David John, Barkley Charlie and Harry Haro while Upu Kila and Kila Kila will be on standby as reserves.

Hobie fleet team manager Karen Krause said the team is enjoying the training camp and are all committed at learning new tactics.

“They are doing on water training with Upu (Kila) five days a week and another two days of strength and conditioning training at the High

Performance centre,” she said. “The signs are very positive,” she added.

“There has being a lot of improvement from the boys and with the additional three new Hobies purchased through the Go 4 Gold (G4G) funding from Sydney, the boys are able to use them during on water training,” she added.

“I want to express gratitude to Theodist for making it possible at shipping the equipments to Port Moresby” said Krause.

A regatta will be held on February 21 to 22 and all fleet 405 members are welcome to join.

TOEA Wisil in action during the 2013 Pacific Mini Games.

HOBIE Cat national coach Upu Kila tightening the ropes on one of the boats for the sailors use for training at the Royal Papua Yacht Club. Picture: MARK TALIA.

Benson out out

Digicel Cup level,” he said.

SP Hunters utility George Benson has been released to take up a career in the police force.

The robust winger cum interchange back-rower has been accepted in the latest intake for the PNG Police academy. Hunters coach Michael Marum in a statement said Benson after completing his studies will be considered for a return to the squad.

Amongst other changes, Philemon Kimisive has also been released to return to the Digicel Cup for another year and his progress will be continuously monitored, said Marum. “Philemon is only 18 years of age and I felt he needed to play more football at the

“He is behind a few players at the Hunters and it is better for him to be playing consistently in the Digicel Cup.

He has plenty of time to develop and we will keep a close eye on him this year,” Marum added.

Meanwhile, two members of the junior rugby league development program for the last three years have been drafted into the SP Hunters squad for the 2015 season.

Nickson Borana, a prop/second rower and John Ragi, a five-eighth, have impressed enough to step up to the next level following a close monitoring process.

Both made their international debuts as members of the Commonwealth Rugby

League 9s team in Glasgow last year, helping PNG win a gold medal.

Borana plays for the Lae Snax Tigers while Ragi was a member of the Agmark Gurias.

The duo was given more exposure at the international level when they were part of the Chairman’s XV PNG squad to the recent Cabramatta 9’s in Sydney last month.

Both 19 years of age, they have displayed attributes that the SP Hunters coaching staff, believe can enable them to make the step up to the Intrust Super Cup competition.

“They are both young players but have not only showed great football talent but the right attitude, which is equally crucial in the development of a top- class player,”

said Marum. Both joined the SP Hunters in Kokopo on Saturday.

“They have the opportunity now and both boys know that they have to work extra hard to break into the side.

The competition for places in the starting 18 is intense so it’s not going to be easy,” Marum lamented.

The Hunters are now gearing up for their pre-season trial match with the Ipswich Jets on February 21.

The Hunters franchise will officially launch its 2015 season in Queensland’s Intrust Sup Cup competition on March 1 at the Gateway Hotel.

The Hunters first match is against the South Logan Magpies on March 8.

RUGBY LEAGUE

SP Hunters George Benson (with ball) in action during last year’s pre-season match with the Northern Pride at Barlow Park. Inset: New Hunters Recruit (top) Nickson Borana and John Ragi Jnr.

Hunters recruit Commonwealth Championships duo unters recruit Commonwealth duo