Post Courier, Friday February 27, 2015

It’s not rain , it’s the sea! It’s not rain, it’s the sea!

Fund windfall

Members to get K264m credited to their savings

NASFUND has declared a surplus after tax of K258.465 million with its board also approving a credit rate of 8.5 per cent, which translates to over K264 million to be paid to its members’ accounts.

William Lamur, chairman of the Nasfund board, announced

the results of its 2014 performance yesterday after the board deliberated on and accepted the audited financial accounts for the last financial year.

The winding down of the $US19 billion PNG LNG Project’s construction phase had an impact on the perform-

ance of Nasfund, with the board chairman highlighting job unavailability around the country.

“The board expected 2014 to be a more challenging year compared to 2013 and 2012. We acknowledged that economic growth was projected to grow

at a slower rate of five per cent down from nine per cent as the construction phase of the LNG wound down and declining prices for PNG’s commodity exports prevailed,” Mr Lamur said in a statement.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Embrace savings culture with Nasfund

THEREwill be smiles on the faces of Nasfund members when they see the Post-Courier headline today on the superannuation fund declaring a surplus after tax of K258.465 million for the last financial year.

The Nasfund board also decided yesterday to approve a credit rate of 8.5 per cent, which would see over K264 million paid to its member’s accounts. The fund’s 488,346 members will have reason to celebrate despite the fact that the surplus after tax from the last financial year is down by over K72 million compared to 2013.

The talking point from yesterday’s announcement by the Nasfund board chairman William Lamur is the impact of the construction phase of the $US19 billion ExxonMobilled PNG LNG Project on the superannuation industry and how its winding down changed the fortunes of the members.

Thousands of Papua New Guineans benefited financially through employment brought on by the LNG. The Nasfund CEO Ian Tarutia made reference to that in his presentation when he spoke of Nasfund membership growth of 22 per cent in 2011, which dropped to half a year later and six per cent last year.

And that was when the challenges began for the fund’s members, who opted to access their retirement savings after they were not able to secure employment following the conclusion of the project’s construction phase. The rush by the unemployed members confirmed the fears of observers: Papua New Guineans do not have a savings culture.

Mr Tarutia, when announcing the fund’s 2014 financial performance, emphasised that superannuation is long-term savings for retirement and not “a short-term unemployment benefit scheme”.

“Logically, some of the gains from our Oil and Gas Sectors should be channelled into agriculture to create more employment and flow on business activities to provide jobs for our people. Superfund members should be continuing to save for retirement, regardless of a change in jobs or being temporarily unemployed,” he said.

We concur with the concerns expressed by the Nasfund CEO and can only stress that members should start looking at their contribution held by the fund as a long-term investment for them and their families. There is no doubt that those who chose not to withdraw their contribution following the winding down of the LNG project’s construction phase now have the last laugh. They are set to benefit from the credit rate of 8.5 per cent which would be paid to their accounts.

The push for Papua New Guineans to embrace a savings culture is currently being led by a number of organisations including the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) in partnership with donors and various financial institutions. And while Papua New Guineans have the option of withdrawing their contribution, leaving their savings with Nasfund is not a bad option according to Mr Lamur as real returns after inflation to member accounts increases significantly over a long period through compound interest and investing in assets that provide long-term returns. It is time for us to look beyond tomorrow and to look at what the future holds for us next month, next year or even 20 years down the line.

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Murderers lose appeal to review sentences

TWO men who wanted the Supreme Court to review a National Court decision sending them to jail for 30 years for willful murder were unsuccessful and are back in Bomana jail to serve their sentences.

Robert Sonjua and Steven Pusih were accused of committing the offence in December 2007 in Manus

where they were charged. A National Court ruling in November 2010 had them sentenced to 30 years each. Their appeal for the review was on the ground that they did not participate in the killing and the judge who had them sentenced erred in not giving sufficient weight to evidence of a co-accused who had pleaded guilty and

got a lighter sentence of 16 years.

They also said they would have been convicted of murder instead of willful murder.

They wanted to have the Supreme Court review those conclusions. However, the Supreme Court was not convinced with their explanations as well as witness

statements given on their behalf.

The court said the statement by their co-accused was to save them, but an eyewitness had given evidence in court that they too were involved.

Their appeal for review was dismissed by the Supreme Court in Waigani yesterday.

Nasfund makes K258 million surplus

FROM PAGE 1

“WE noted the difficulty faced by potential new members in securing employment due to the unavailability of suitable jobs around the country,” Mr Lamur said.

“Conversely, new employer registrations decreased while a number of existing employers were deregistered due to the closure of business. Thus we expected our investment returns and membership growth to be less than our results in 2013.”

Nasfund made K330.600 million in 2013 compared to an after tax surplus of K258.465 million for the last financial year. Key perform-

ance indicators for 2014 include:

Net Asset Value of K3.719 billion representing a growth of 10.8 per cent over 2013 audited results;

A six per cent increase in total membership to 488,346 members out of which 175,992 were active contributors;

Active employer base of 2,150 establishments compared to 2359 active employers in 2013;

Contribution receipts of K461 million representing a four per cent increase from 2013;

736 educational and public awareness shop floor presentations to employers and members throughout the country, compared to

662 presentations conducted in 2013;

Payment of over K347 million in superannuation entitlements including housing advances representing 76,984 transactions to members or their beneficiaries; and

Decisions on new investments totalling over K200 million

NASFUND chief executive officer Ian Tarutia said the LNG construction phase triggered a 22 per cent growth in membership in 2011, which dropped by half in 2012 and was only six per cent last year.

“Citizen workers engaged with this project, who were contributing to NASFUND, were not able to seek suit-

able alternative employment elsewhere and were resorting to accessing their retirement savings early,” Mr Tarutia said.

Consequently, there was an increase in withdrawal applications and high entitlement payouts by 40 per cent over a three-year period.

This translated to Nasfund processing 76,984 member transactions amounting to K347 million last year, compared to 66,680 transactions amounting to K268 million processed in 2013.

But superannuation is about saving for long-term retirement and should not be “a short-term unemployment benefit scheme, according to Mr Tarutia.

Police admit shooting death of elderly woman

By FRANKIY KAPIN

MOROBE police command-

er Kaiglo Ambane has confirmed that police were involved in the shooting death of an elderly woman at a market in Bulolo District of Morobe Province last Saturday.

He said yesterday that the killing is the subject of police investigation.

The Lae District Court also confirmed yesterday that the case has been registered with coroner as number 70-2015 for postmortem, possibly next week.

Mr Ambane said a breakdown in communication between negotiators to lift a roadblock and those manning the roadblock last week led to the confron-

the drum

UNI WOES

GOOGLE “university of png 50th anniversary” and you get links to 50th anniversary celebrations at the universities of Colorado, California, Essex and others but nothing on the UPNG.

SILENT

THE alumni keep checking for updates on the anniversary celebrations this year. The UPNG administration has been tight-lipped. Maybe its waiting for the end of the Pacific Games.

LOBBYING

HEARING of behind-thescenes lobbying to get a controversial figure to head a government department. But the incumbent still has 2 years to run on his contract.

What’s the motivation?

FAIL TEST

THE individual won’t pass the fit and proper persons test, having been implicated in an inquiry. But anticorruption agencies wouldn’t mind revisiting his file if he gets back.

NO VACANCY

THE headline yesterday on the vacancy in the position of PNG high commissioner to Fiji has upset folks at the

DFAT in Waigani. They said the mission already has an “acting high commissioner”.

TEMPORARY

THE bureaucrats are of the view that a retraction is in order. But the Public Service General Orders is explicit in that an acting appointment is only temporary – until a permanent one is made!

HOLLYWOOD REMEMBER years ago how an MP and former minister said Waigani was full of “Hollywood actors”? There was an unusually high number of top bureaucrats acting in their positions back then.

MYSTERY

KIMBE resident was baffled to see an aircraft accompanied by two jet fighters fly over the West New Britain capital last Sunday. Definitely weren’t UFOs. Someone in the aviation circle might know.

PAL HERE

THE inaugural Philippine Airlines aka PAL flight touches down in Port Moresby April 10. Now that’s competition as it gives those travelling to Asia or the Americas from PNG another option.

CONFIRMATION: Morobe police commander Kaiglo Ambane has confirmed that police were involved in the shooting death of an elderly woman at a market in the Bulolo district last Saturday.

INVESTIGATION: Mr Ambane said yesterday that the killing is the subject of police investigation.

LAE DISTRICT COURT: The Lae District Court also confirmed yesterday that the case has been registered with coroner as number 70-2015 for post-mortem, possibly next week.

tation with village youths and the death of the grandmother from Mumeng LLG in Bulolo.

He said the Gurako village leaders had not informed those blocking the WafiGolpu mine access road that they had ironed out their difference at a meeting with the miner and Government officials and had agreed to

open the road. Mr Ambane said when police turned up at the roadblock the villagers’ reactions were mixed and hostile because the good news had not been relayed.

The situation became more tense when the villagers at the roadblock blamed police for the disappearance of two locals who police

insisted and wandered off on their own. Mr Ambane said the blame game intensified when locals hurled verbal abuse at his men and set out to physically attack them. The police could not do much as they were outnumbered and suspected the locals may have been armed with two firearms, he added.

The police returned the next day, Saturday, to demand compensation as well as the surrender of those involved in the confrontation the previous day.

It was during this confusion that police allegedly shot and killed the woman, whose body is at Angau Memorial Hospital morgue for post-mortem, Mr Ambane said.

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

THE driver of this car should be charged with reckless driving! He drove into a residential stonewall on Portlock Road early yesterday, narrowly escaping with his life.

CHARGE EM

EMPTY bullet shells, allegedly from police issued M16 assault rifle used in the killing of an elderly woman at Gurako villagein Bulolo. The shells were shown to the media and Bulolo MP and Deputy Opposition leader, Sam Basil, during his visit to the deceased’s village.

Balob makes a comeback

College’s

enrollment capacity to increase

BY MELISHA YAFOI

THE Balob Teachers college in Lae will have more classrooms and dormitories thanks to the European Union.

Yesterday the college witnessed the foundation stone laying of the new college buildings.

The buildings will be funded by the EU under its human resources development program (HRDP).

The construction of six new classrooms in Lae will provide space for 210 teacher students and the new duplex dormitories for the male and female students will accommodate 84 boarder students.

A similar program had been implemented out at Madang Teachers College and Gaulim Teachers College in Rabaul.

Balob is one of the biggest and oldest teachers colleges in the country.

Balob Teachers College

principal Jerry Hendingao said the EU-funded HRDP 1 program would help the school with its lecture blocks and dormitories to enrol more students to continue with their studies.

“Most of the students have been affected due to the burning down of one of the male dormitories in 2013,”

Mr Hendinggao said.

He said students had been living in overcrowded dormitories and it was very dif-

At a glance

LEARNING ATMOSPHERE: More buldings increases the enrolment capcity of Balob Teachers College. It also makes learning and lodging environment more spacious and conducive to study.

QUALITY GRADUATES: Graduates coming out from a well equipped colleges are expected to be of high quality and competent to provide satisfactory services back to the community.

LONG TERM BENEFIT: More teachers coming out from colleges means more teachers in the classrooms that will surely reduce the overcrowding of students in one classroom.

CAUSE: The overcrowding of students in classrooms is being caused in part by the Government’s free education policy.

ficult for their learning.

“With this support we have received now, we will be in a better position to train more teachers to educate other young Papua New Guineans,” he said.

Mr Hendingao said the foundation laying of the cornerstone was a dream come true for the school after 65 years of waiting to improve the school facilities.

Govt thanks European Union

EDUCATION Deputy Secretary Uke Kombra has thanked the European Union for thinking broadly to identify needs to complement the recent changes in education such as the free education policy.

He said the free education policy had seen an influx of students; some were parents or dropouts returning to enrol to finish their education.

Mr Kombra said this yesterday during the foundation stone laying at Balob Teachers College in Lae yesterday.

As a result, there is a problem with the number of students in a class like 50-60 students to a teacher.

“We have to address the issue of quality education,” he added.

He said the significance of the Balob project was that it added 250 teachers every year and graduates 2500 teachers. This would bring down the ratio of the number of children to teacher, he added.

Mr Kombra noted a number of education issues and what had been decided so far.

He said the introduction of the Tok Pisin curriculum would of course be at the elementary level, adding this had changed a bit with more emphasis on the English language and more English courses introduced.

He said the teacher training component had increased from two years to three years basically to make the teachers better equipped, competent and up-to-date with the new standard-based education.

Five women aim high in military training

BY HAIVETA KIVIA

FIVE women are among 40 new cadets who have been accepted for officer training at the PNGDF Academy at Igam Barrack, Lae.

The 18-month military officer training should see them graduate as second lieutenants by mid next year.

PNGDF commander

The bottom line

Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo officially welcomed the five women and their 35 male counterparts to the force on Wednesday.

Brig-Gen Toropo told the young cadets that they must put God first in their endeavour to become an officer in the force.

He said the training to become an officer would not be an easy walk in the

park and they must prove to themselves that they have leadership qualities to become officers to lead men and women in the Force.

“Some of the training and instructions you receive from your instructors may seem silly but it is what the military requires of you and you must do it,” he said.

He also reminded the new cadets that PNGDF was a gender equality organisation where women were treated as equal in the force, serving the force on the same playing field as their male counterparts. He said there was no room for those in the Force who had ulterior motives towards their female counterparts.

PNGDF had so far graduated the first two female officers from the officer commissioning course and they are second lieutenants Moiya and Saroa.

Second Lt Moiya is serving as a transport officer with transport division and second Lt Saroa is a recruit platoon commander at Goldie River Training Depot.

Teachers are nobles. They are the first to open the minds and tune them to a specific profession. Thank you to all the teachers.

EU ambassador Martin Dihm and French ambassador Pascal Maubert holding the time capsule wrapped with the PNG flag that will be placed under the foundation of the new female dormitory at Balob Teachers College.

SOME of the women cadets

Trainee lawyers admission deferred

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

THE ADMISSION of new lawyers from Legal Training Institute to the National and Supreme Court bar which was due to take place today has been deferred to March

6.

According to a source at Legal Training Institute, the deferral of the admission was because documents of many candidates had not been filed in the court registry.

The source said institute staff are now busy printing documents and doing necessary corrections.

Staff at the court house remained tight-lipped as to who was to be blamed for the delay.

It was however revealed that there were in-house issues involved.

Yesterday, the Post-Courier talked to some disappointed candidates who were at the court registry to check on their status and to file their documents.

It is also understood that some relatives who flew into Port Moresby to witness the occasion will have to remain in the city for another week.

The PNG Law Society had called for the deferral given the situation.

At a glance

OCCASION: Admission of new lawyers from legal training institute to the National and Supreme Court bar.

DEFERRAL: Event has been moved forward to March 6 and was called for by the PNG Law Society.

REASON: Due to issues within the institute itself. Staff at the court house were also tightlipped over the issue.

The bottom line

Goilala community pay tribute to late leader

THE GOILALA community in the nation’s capital have vowed to embrace the work of their late Member of Parliament Daniel Mona.

Speaking on behalf of the Goilala community in Port Moresby, community leader Jef Waina said the Goilala community in the city had admired the leadership of Mr Mona and would miss the good work he had done during his short time as their MP.

“We, especially, the parents from Goilala living in the city, have access to services such as tuition fee free education for our school. He did a lot within his short time as MP and we will continue to embrace his work,” Mr Waina said.

He said Goilala was one of the least developed districts which the late Mr Mona had tried to connect with the rest of the country and the world.

O’Neill encourages voters to register in ID program

INTENDING candidates for the 2017 general elections have been encouraged to register their people to participate in the election voting process.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said only those who have been registered under the national identification registration program will be eligible to cast their votes.

“The days when candidates take their own list to Port

Moresby to register in the common roll are over,” he said.

Mr O’Neill said there had been abuse and election fraud in past elections and also a lot of election results ended up in prolonged court disputes. The prime minister, who is also responsible for the Electoral Commission, said it would be in every candidate’s interest to ensure their potential voters were

registered. “When you want to vote they will ask for ID card.

“This national identification program will affect our lives, so we encourage you to register and vote in 2017.”

He said no other person would use someone else’s name to cast their vote like in past elections.

“You, candidate, must encourage your voters to go and register, do not wait and

think that you will go and give your own list.

“These kinds of lists are now over and done with. A lot of times we take our own list to Port Moresby and pay people to register voters.”

He said intending candidates must register themselves and their voters, for example, in Mendi, where the national identification program was launched on Monday.

Intending candidates must register themselves and their voters to participate in the 2017 national elections.

A SINGSING group at the airport ready to welcome the casket of late Goilala MP Daniel Mona.

Picture: JOE GINUA

This national identification program will affect our lives, so we encourage you to register and vote in 2017

...

PETER O’NEILL Prime Minister

Fishy deals on old House

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

PAPUA New Guinea’s old Parliament House in downtown Port Moresby is gone and the deal to have that land and property sold has been found to be dubious.

That is accordign to a special investigation report conducted by investigators as directed by the Speaker of Parliament Theodore Zurenuoc. It is understood that the report had been forwarded to Mr Zurenuoc.

The investigations followed Rabaul MP Allan Marat’s questions in Parliament on September 4 last year.

Kapi: Disability policy just a window dresser for funds

BY GRACE SALMANG

PERSON with disability

Brown Kapi has described the national policy for disability and UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as window dressings to attract funding.

Mr Kapi said when resources are channeled into the country through these arrangements; there is no implementation to show

it. “We cannot be silent anymore, we have to demand to know where the resources meant for the people are all going,” he said.

Mr Kapi said after almost three years of infighting at the Department for Religion, Youth and Community Development over the secretary’s position, Anna Solomon had been confirmed and it was time to get on with the job.

“It was difficult for the

department to focus on its responsibilities because of people protecting their own interests but now the Secretary and Minister responsible Delilah Gore must come down hard with their priorities,” he said.

Mr Kapi said it was the first and foremost responsibility of these ministers and departments as the first servants of the people.

“You may have all these titles but the reality is you

are servants to the people but more so, those marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

The needs of PWD were simple, the policy and convention were there as guides and all that was needed in the implementation and injection of resources.

“We are not asking for your personal property, we are demanding what is rightfully ours,” he said.

”You must realise that

you are not running your personal business, you are just the care-taker of the people’s resources,” he said in terms of politicians and public servants.

Kapi said as an issue that comes under the department, disability had been given low priority for too long.

“We want to know what has been achieved, who their partners are and where they may have faltered.”

Mr Marat had asked what the plan for the land was, how new developments were taking place there, who had the title to the land and what was in it for the National Parliament and the State as it was also a national heritage site.

The report has found that the valuing and the sale of the land to a company now seen operating there has been done through “dubious” means.

The investigators had conducted enquiries with eight departments and two companies.

The report contains facts and evidence from those enquiries. Several businessmen and bureaucrats and politicians are named in the deal. A current minister was one who moved an NEC decisions to have the land sold.

WORK to build a new National and Supreme court complex in Waigani has started since the ground-breaking ceremony on February 2. The new complex will be built right here where the land is being levelled. By mid 2018, it should be complete and occupied to discharge its duties to the public.

Picture: MARK TALIA

WORK STARTS ON NEW COURT COMPLEX

Park opens bird exhibit, Trobriand yam house

PAPUA New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority staff visited Port Moresby Nature Park to open two new attractions – an original Trobriand Island yam house and a Bird of Paradise exhibit – made possible through sponsorship support of PNGTPA.

A traditional Trobriand Island singsing group performed as part of the yam house opening followed by ribbon cutting ceremony at both attractions.

Port Moresby Nature Park’s general manager, Michelle McGeorge said they were grateful that PNGTPA was sponsoring these exhibits.

The yam house was designed and built by Morgan Kaniyoisi, a Port Moresby based Trobriand islander.

“Our team used traditional materials and paint designs and colours to ensure the yam house is as culturally accurate as possible,” Mr Kaniyoisi said.

The second attraction was the upgrade and restoration of an old aviary, which now includes a full glass-frontage viewing area providing an unobstructed view of the birds, which was provided by Niugini Glass and Aluminium in addition to PNG TPA’s support.

The new bird exhibit features both Bird of Paradise and Fruit Doves. There is hope for a breeding program for these species to occur in future at the Nature Park.

O’Neill calls for change of attitude

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

PAPUA New Guinea is undergoing rapid changes and people need to change their attitude to reap some of these development benefits.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the Government had put in place some key policies like free education, free basic health, infrastructure development, law and order curbs as well as supporting small-to-medium businesses.

He said a lot of resources were allocated to provinces, districts and even to ward levels.

Mr O’Neill said the economy has grown steadily for the past 10 years and the Government was riding on that to ensure development reaches the majority of Papua New Guineans.

“All these programs and policies are for our children, their future is very important. Life should be about quality.

“The country is changing and people must also stop the attitude of spitting betelnut juice all over the place. This sick attitude must stop.

Nature Park to host World Wildlife Day

PORT Moresby Nature Park will be hosting World Wildlife Day tomorrow in what is believed to be the first time the international day has been celebrated in Papua New Guinea. Last year, United Nations declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day to coincide with the anniversary of adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The emphasis of the day is to recognise the importance of the world’s wildlife and the need to protect it, particularly by putting an end to wildlife crimes such as native animal trafficking and urban consumption. The Nature Park will be filled with numerous stalls and displays highlighting issues faced by some of PNG’s animals, as well as fun activities for kids such as face painting, jumping castle, animal presentations, Tura the Kokomo, games, and arts and crafts. Present at the event will be partners including RSPCA of PNG and the Wildlife Conservation Society. They will be featuring displays. Miss PNG Grace Nugi, who is also PNG’s conservation ambassador, will be presenting her research on the use of parrot feathers in traditional adornments.

At a glance

CHANGES: PNG is undergoing rapid changes and people need to change their attitude to reap some of these development benefits.

POPULATION: There must be effective measures to curb population growth

“Drinking alcohol and causing a lot of nonsense must also stop.” The Prime Minister urged. He said there must be measures to curb population growth.

“The Government is not stopping you from having a lot of children, but you must bring children into this world responsibly with plans for their future.

“People should have enough children so they can look after them well and provide quality life.

“We do not want you to have too many children that you cannot afford to provide for all their basic necessities. These children must live at a decent standard of living,” Mr O’Neill said.

TRADITIONAL Trobriand Island singsing group performed as part of the yam house opening at Nature Park.

PNGDF Academy strives to be best

BY HAIVETA KIVIA

THE chief instructor at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Academy at Igam Barracks in Lae is aiming to make the academy the best in the Pacific.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Banda said the PNGDF has the potential to build its military Aaademy into one of prestige and a force to be reckoned with and respected in the region.

Lt-Col Banda said PNGDF has proved wrong its learned critics within and outside the force that the academy can offer quality military training for its officer cadets.

He said when he took up his post two years back, many people came up and said he was making a wrong move, but he was focused and believed that PNGDF can build a military academy that can be counted in Pacific region and Asia.

He said PNGDF aspires to offer military diploma and degree trainings like other prestigious military academies in the world.

He said he and his staff at the academy, with assistance from Australian Defence Force, are always improving and making sure that cadets coming out of Igam can make the cut anywhere in the military world.

“We aim to make the academy the best in the Pacific and to attract other Pacific Island countries to have their officer cadets train here,” he said.

“We have the potential to do that and we can also attract cadets from Australia and New Zealand to train here in PNG”.

Aviation students take on first flying practice

AVIATION students attending the Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, Philippines, experienced a glimpse of their future career as they soared the skies during their first instructional flying practice under theory lessons of their flight course.

Among them were Bernadine Buskens, Esther Tenaen, Belinda Koyaiye, Shaddrick Matare, Alexander Lee, Ode Elliot, Nigel Dondo, John Elison, Raphael Mutambek, Sharon Wahamwen, Julius Garana and Jasper Sawa.

Ms Buskens, 20, finished Grade 12 from Kopkop College in Port Moresby and started her university career in the Philippines last year. She is an upcoming second-year student in the June 2015 intake.

“Honestly speaking, there can be no greater word to describe the rush of it all. I was scared but so excited and nervous at the same time. Everyone definitely had a great time,” she said.

She is one of the few PNG women in this male-dominated degree program.

Rising sea affects school

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

DAMAGES caused by rising sea levels on school infrastructure and fencing at Porebada Primary School along the Motuan coastline are likely to affect the school population of more than 900 students and teachers.

School board chairman Jerry Taumaku told the Post-Courier yesterday that rising sea levels has had an impact in the area and there is great concern that requires strengthened partnerships to resolve.

At a glance

ISSUE: Rising sea level causing problems for Motuan coastline most recently the Porebada Primary School which is situated close to the sea. The school has a population of more than 900 including teachers. School Board chairman Jerry Taumaku says as a result the school infrastructure is being damaged.

PROBLEM: A local contractor who was awarded a contract to upgrade existing facilities in the school has not completed the job and too relocation of the school to higher ground is difficult due to issues of ownership of land.

“The problem was identified from the lower part of the ground at the far end of the teacher’s residential side

of the fencing, where the tide comes in and goes through the classroom at knee height causing the timber flooring

on the ground floor classrooms to collapse,” he said.

He said the current fencing needs to be replaced and concrete fences or a one meter high retaining wall constructed and new fencing to run on top of it so seawater can be drawn away from the school premises.

“When the water comes in, it reaches the buildings resulting in the corrosion and wearing away of the iron posts and broken floorboards” he said.

“This is not safe for the children as it may cause

accidents.”

Mr Taumaku said the school began experiencing water flowing into the school grounds last year and is calling on a contractor engaged to fix the problem to complete its job in a satisfactory fashion.

He said this will include lifting the fencing and upgrading of the school grounds which will help the school in the long term.

He said a relocation of the school to higher ground is difficult because of landowner issues.

Morobe schools charge project fees to keep them going

BY FRANCO NEBAS

MOST schools in Morobe province will be closed if project fees are not imposed, says Morobe provincial education chairman Andrew Gena.

Mr Gena said this in response to media statements made by Education Secretary Michael Tapo that Morobe Province will not get their tuition free fee (TFF) allocation.

Mr Gena said such directive by the secretary is unfair to the people of Morobe Province, especially innocent children who are being denied their right to TFF allocation.

He said the Morobe provincial education board had to come up with the decision to ensure that fees are imposed to sustain operations of the schools.

“I am talking especially about the high schools that accommodate boarding students, how will they survive if there are no funds to pay for meals, electricity and water,” he asked.

He said if the fees were not

imposed, most schools would not have begun their 2015 academic year or would have closed a couple of weeks later.

“We can’t hold the children to ransom by waiting for the TFF allocation by the government. By then schools will be behind their academic year programs,” he said. He said the fees had to be imposed in order for schools to

commence their academic year.

Mr Gena said the problem about the government funding is the system is very slow in terms of funds being released.

“We can’t wait for funds to be released, as it only affects or disturbs academic programs for the year, so we had to get schools up and running with available funds which is the project fees, until government TFF arrives,” he said.

He said therefore, to avoid such inconveniences, the Morobe PEB has issued a directive for project fees to be imposed.

“Those parents who had paid the fees can be reimbursed when the TFF allocation is available,” he said.

Mr Gena further stressed that the instruction from Education Minister Nick Kuman to schools not to charge project fees was late.

“This direction should have been given prior to start of the academic year or towards the end of last year when schools were winding down,” he said.

PNG students enrolled at the Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, the Philippines.

We can’t wait for funds to be released, as it only affects or disturbs academic programs for the year, so we had to get schools up and running by imposing project fees ...

ANDREW GENA Lae

PNG growth boosts SI economy

PAPUA New Guinea’s growing economy has ramped up interest to extend business in Solomon Islands and in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries.

Business in Solomon Islands and its economy seem to improve after the devastating April flash floods that caused havoc to lives and properties of the people in Solomon Islands, particularly in Honiara.

The PNG Government’s intention is to facilitate PNG business interest in the MSG, including Solomon Islands, within the framework of the various bilateral, subregional and regional arrangements PNG has.

As a step forward, PNG will always stop first at Solomon Islands as its closest Melanesian brother.

Recently, there has been some major investment decisions made by PNG companies to do business in Solomon Islands.

Bank of South Pacific’s announcement to purchase Westpac bank in Solomon Islands is a vote of confidence in the business atmosphere in Solomon Islands.

Another PNG company, Capital Insurance, has officially launched its operations in Honiara just recently.

There are a few other companies who have already shown interest to do business in Honiara.

PNG’s National Airline, Air Niugini, is into discussions with Air Solomons, Air Vanuatu and Air Fiji to provide alternate travel routes for the citizens of the MSG members and the region.

This will boost the growing in-

terest of PNG businesses within MSG countries and the region.

PNG’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Fred Yakasa, has expressed satisfaction for many PNG companies operating in Solomon Islands and welcomes new investment interests to Solomon Islands.

The private sector, is the engine room for any economy, and thus our respective government’s efforts to facilitate trade and business should be encouraged, he said.

Mr Yakasa also reminded the PNG companies to be good cooperate citizens and comply with all regulatory regulation and laws of the host country.

He also urged Solomon Island countries to explore investment opportunities in PNG.

Trial on asylum murder set to start

THE murder trial for two men accused of beating an asylum seeker to death on Manus Island a year ago is due to start next week, ABC News Australia reports.

Reza Barati, a 23-year-old Iranian, died during a riot at the Australian-run regional processing centre on February 17 last year.

In July, police arrested security guard Louie Efi and soon afterwards arrested Salvation

Army worker Joshua Kaluvia. Both were charged with murder. The case has been listed for Monday in the National Court sitting.

Refugee advocates said asylum seekers had been asked to give evidence during the next three weeks. Some asylum seekers are reportedly nervous about their safety while testifying, others had already confirmed they would take the stand.

Last year, police said they

were looking for three more suspects, one Papua New Guinean and two expatriates, in relation to Mr Barati’s death.

More than 1,000 asylum seekers are being detained on Manus Island as part of the Australian Government’s offshore processing policy. The violence at Manus was “eminently foreseeable”, according to an Australian Senate committee report last December into the incident. – ABC News

Offices must help SMEs

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

LACK of cooperation between the Morobe provincial commerce officers and the Investment Promotion Authority is one reason business certificates are not being issued to SMEs, an IPA officer says.

IPA Momase regional officer Carlos Yehere explained to the Post-Courier that there are many instances

where SMEs approach the IPA with confusion and frustration due to their expectations not being met.

“We have SME operators who approach staff in our Lae office with partially completed forms and they are often confused as to what category they should be registering their business in,” Mr Yehere said.

“We usually had dialogues between provincial com-

merce offers in Lae to discuss ways to address this issue but these days, there isn’t much communication going on.”

Mr Yehere said the matter is of great concern because these SME operators are not properly advised on the procedures involved in formalising their businesses.

“We often have SME operators being disappointed that when we ask them ques-

tions to understand their business before completing the form,” he said.

“We at IPA believe that when there are proper discussions between the provincial commerce offices, then we would share the necessary information that they need to properly advise these clients.”

It was also noted that a fair number of SME operators are either semi-literate or

illiterate altogether.

For this reason, the IPA office said provincial commerce advisers should educate SMEs of the steps that should be taken before they approach the IPA.

Attempts to have the Morobe provincial officer to comment on the matter were unsuccessful.

Haki Kenny, a local SME operator in Lae, said the process of formalising her

business was a hassle as she had to go back and forth between the two officers to have her papers settled.

“There should be proper discussions held between the two offices so that they don’t put us through the hassle of going back and forth to have the processes explained and unnecessary payments to be made,” Mrs Kenny said.

SME owners encouraged to diversify

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

WOMEN who own small to medium enterprises often have the tendency of imitating one particular type of business rather than tapping into new types of businesses.

SME trainer Linda Voyorite said this when addressing an SME training in Lae yesterday.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that just because one is good at tailoring meri blouses that you get attracted and go into doing the same business.

“It is advisable that one identifies a weak area or a business that is lacking in the community, they should take heed of that opportunity and turn it into a successful area of business,” Mrs Voyorite said.

She said despite competition in one are of business being encouraged diversification in products and services in a community is also advantageous.

Anna Kinjul, an SME operator and a participant at the training, admitted women in the communities are often inclined to imitate another business that is thriving in the area.

“I must admit that I’m one of those that fell into that trap of trying to imitating others who are conducting one particular type of business that is doing so well in the community,” Mrs Kinjul said.

She, however, added that stepping out of one’s comfort zone and exploring new areas of doing business has helped her growing her business.

“While everyone in the community is into selling ice-blocks, betel-nuts and veggies, it would be best to try something new like doing flower arrangement, or cooking food and selling in offices,” Mrs Kinjul advised.

SMEs urged to initiate business plans

SME operators these days do not have business plans in place and this often results in businesses failing,” a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) training revealed.

The Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry SME trainers encouraged women in the SME sector to formulate business plans as it is a vital part of encouraging growth in their business. DTCI SME trainer Waslen Pok said it is important that SME operators understand the planning process of their business.

“If they understand this area, they’ll be able to have control over the resources that they have and they can also be able to implement the proper strategies of advancing in their business despite having competitors,” Ms Pok explained.

Another SME trainer Linda Voyorite shared similar sentiments and she said having a business plan will enable an SME operator to properly utilise their assets and employees.

“When one doesn’t not have a plan prior to operating an SME business, they will not be able to identify areas to attend to their employees needs and also the changes that they need to make in their markets,” Mrs Voyorite explained.

Mofay Komupa, an SME operator and a participant, admitted that her business had been going through a tough period because she lacked a proper business plan.

Contempt hearing continues

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

THE National Court yesterday heard another senior officer from the fraud and anti-corruption squad give evidence relating to the contempt case against Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki.

The allegation against Mr Vaki was that he did not carry out the arrest warrant that the court had issued for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in June 2014.

The cross-examination, in which 12 people had given evidence, was to establish the facts surrounding the issue. Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia presided over the matter which is expected to continue this week.

It is understood that Mr Vaki had pleaded guilty to the offence, and the cross-examination is to see what other circumstances may have contributed to his refusal not to comply with the arrest order.

Meanwhile, deputy director for the fraud squad Timothy Gitua, who was questioned yesterday, indicated that he would not divulge certain information in relation to the Paul Paraka investigations as yet because a suspect in the matter had yet to be arrested.

He said files containing investigations of the prime minister relating to the Paraka saga were still with the fraud and anti-corruption squad.

Mr Gitua indicated that Mr O’Neill had not been arrested and no further information would be divulged publicly, even in court, regarding the investigations.

He said this after persistent prodding by Mr Vaki’s lawyer John Griffin on certain issues surrounding the investigation.

Mr Vaki is being sued for contempt for not effecting Mr O’Neill’s arrest warrant in June 2014 because he had instead asked for the file first, saying he wanted to familiarise himself with the nature of the

At a glance

EXAMINATION-IN-CHIEF: This is the direct question of a witness by the party who called him or her, in a trial to adduce evidence in a court of law. Direct examination is usually performed to elicit evidence in support of facts which will satisfy a required element of a party’s claim or defense. One is prohibited from asking leading questions. This prevents a lawyer from feeding answers to a favorable witness. An exception to this rule occurs if one side has called a witness, but it is either understood, or soon becomes plain, that the witness is hostile to the questioner’s side of the controversy. The lawyer may then ask the court to declare the person he or she has called to the stand a hostile witness. If the court does so, the lawyer may thereafter ply the witness with leading questions during direct examination.

CROSS-EXAMINATION: This is the interrogation of a witness called by one’s opponent, to demise the credibility of the proof established in examination-in-chief.

RE-EXAMINATION: This is the examination by a friendly lawyer to reinforce the evidence spoilt by crossexamination.

investigations before effecting the arrest of such a high-profile leader, in case he erred.

Mr Gitua said the reason the Fraud and Anti-corruption Squad did not give him the file was because they felt it was safer with them and their job which was to be done without fear or favour.

He said they did serve the warrant and invited Mr O’Neill to their office for questioning but a confrontation over loyalty between the police erupted at the Konedobu headquarters resulted in a standoff at the end of last year.

The cross-examination continues.

Former unversity employee loses court challenge

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

AN appeal by the Divine Word University against a National Court decision compelling it to pay damages to a former employee of the institution was upheld by the Supreme Court yesterday.

This relates to a case regarding an alleged breach of contract between the employee and the institution.

George Podas was employed in 2007 by DWU as supervisor of its kiosk for a term of three years.

However, his contract was terminated by way of a letter in 2008 and he was paid his entitlements, including a sum equivalent to three months of pay, which DWU said was the contractually agreed amount payable in lieu of notice.

When Podas sought legal action, the National Court in Madang ruled in his favour in 2013 and assessed damages totaling K7092.81, by taking into account the salary

he should have gotten if his contract had not been terminated in the middle.

DWU then filed the appeal in the Supreme Court on the assessment of damages.

The Supreme Court found that the payment equivalent to three months payment was accepted by Podas, which indicated that he accepted the termination of agreement. The court also took into account that DWU had allowed him and his family to live in its premises for another four months, despite being sacked, so that his children could complete their school year.

The Supreme Court found that the National Court decision erred in assessing damages payable for the balance of the term of the contract under these circumstances.

The Supreme Court therefore upholds the appeal by DWU and quashed the National Court decision dated December 13, 2013.

JUSTICE IS DELIVERED

I WOULD like to take this opportunity and air my point of view on the Ombudsman Commission, the National Fraud Squad and Department of Justice.

I've been watching and reading news regarding PNG’s corrupt leaders being referred to the Leadership Tribunal. I would say this is the fi rst t ime in a decade in which many are referred to tribunal and even sentenced to prison. I commend the good job this three department heads and their of fi cers are doing. Even the justice system is neutral in making fi rm decisions. I congratulate you all for the job well done on behalf of the silent Papua New Guineans.

I would like to see that this is maint ained. I hope that these departments will continue doing further investigation into corrupt leaders and when they are found doing corrupt practices in this country, they must face the full force of the law. God bless you all.

Concern Tax Payer Pangia

WHERE IS MALABAG?

CAN someone tell us where the MP for Moresby North West Mr Michael Malabag is?

His other two colleagues have been carrying out pro-active programs in their electorates as we often see in the news. Ensisi Valley and most other streets in his electorate are in total darkness.

There are no street lights from the main Waigani drive into Ensisi valley.

We know what happens; criminals t ake advantage of these dark streets to make people live in fear and feel insecure all the time. Something needs to be done. The MP must start to be proactive. Come on Mr Malabag you can do better.

Looking for someone?

I AM looking for Dr Andrew Bareng. He is somewhere in Lae. He is a herbal doctor. My name id Dickson Siparu and I live in Arawa AROB. My contact is: 71492623. Please can Andrew call me.

I AM looking for Mr MARK VALUKA, a former PNGDF soldier in the 1970s, at present maybe in Kimbe. If anyone knows him, Please call me on this number Digicel 70272989. D.F

Boera’s BDG grants misused

I EXPRESS my concern and disgust over the manner in which some directors of Boera Holdings Limited have unfairly distributed dividend payouts to its shareholders in Boera recently. What has happened recently and during the course of the construction phase of the PNG LNG project, has prompt me to air my disgust over selfish and greedy actions. Each of the 14 directors, as representatives of the clans were given K25,000 to K40,000 to distribute evenly to its clan members over the age of 18. Unfortunately, some members were not given their share of the cake and mind you this is not the first time.

Their lame excuse why these people missed out was because they were witnesses and signato-

ries with the village clan leaders to documents, pertaining to the final Clan Vetting Process CVP spearheaded by the Department of Petroleum and Energy late last year. What a lame and illogical excuse! As a result of their greed and selfish acts, so many mothers and young girls missed out on what was their rightful share of the dividend payout. Imagine their boss is a lady and also a women’s rep who represents the bulk of the womenfolk from Boera, who hails from the same village as well. So where is women’s rights?

Another thing that disturbs me about this organisation is, over the last five years they have failed miserably to table detailed financial reports, advising shareholding structures, about assets and

liabilities and balance sheets and yet they continue to operate in the dark. Unless the above reports are made public, than I assume this company is owned by just a few individuals. Be reminded this organisation capitalised five years ago from taxpayers money converted to Business Development Grants earmarked for the four impacted villages at portion 152. Hence, you all are duty bound to report to the shareholders at the end of the day. From my perspective, I see PNG LNG as a curse in disguise for the people of Boera, I say this because there is nothing to show to the outside world that reflects to the millions of kina flowing in as BDG.

Fed Up via email

The views expressed on these pages are the opinions of our readers. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Post-Courier – Editor Your opinions

SS, Waigani NCD

Chimbu police have clear goal

Letter of the day

I REFER to an article “Chimbu police not performing” (PC, Feb, 17) by an unidentified author, Simbu Yomba, Kundiawa, Chimbu Province. The author went on to give a good lecture on the nonperformance of police duties in Chimbu Province. I will respond to the writer in the following manner.

Firstly, to put things into perspective, the constitutional function of the Police force is to protect life and property. And the police men and women carry out their constitutional duties to ensure life and property is protected. In essence the police is a reactive force meaning they will respond to a crime to arrest suspects, process and take the suspects to court for judicial outcomes. This is the primary duty of our police force in this country and the world over.

Secondly, with respect to Chimbu policing duties, I am happy to say our policemen and women in this province have and are delivering beyond our expectations. There has never been a major tribal fight in this province for the last 20 years or so and as a former district officer and long-time resident of

Chimbu Province, I am qualified to make this observation. This is the culmination or end result of excellent police community outreach programmes with support from community leaders and community policing concept that continue to be the driver of effective tools of law and order maintenance in our province. With this regard the local MPs and their respective JDBPCs are commended for running community policing initiatives in their respective districts and electorates.

Thirdly, as far as I know, the seeds of good policing concepts or preventative policing advocacies were developed by former PPC, Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop who is now the PPC of Jiwaka Province. This police officer promoted and shifted the police functions from being a reactive police force to a preventive police force. In other words he advocated for “prevention” than “cure” principles where he promoted the idea of peaceful and law abiding citizens lead to trouble free communities, etc. The concepts of community policing were taken up seriously by community leaders and integrated into traditional modes and means of conflict resolutions to which led to what is a good

Text us on 208

Chimbu society today. Therefore, in all fairness to the past and present police men and women of Chimbu Province, the comments made by Chimbu Yomba is simply out of context and unfair.

Finally, the Simbu Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Noah Kool and Administrator Joe Kunda Naur need to be commended for their undivided support to the work of the police force in Chimbu Province. Likewise the support for the justice sector, especially the informal sector through the peace and mediation programmes and initiatives are highly regarded and notable in Chimbu Province. The policing duty is everyone’s business and I am happy to say all stakeholders and individuals are taking ownership which is a good culture. I urge all citizens of Chimbu to continue supporting the good work of our police force in our province. I can only say the comments by author Simbu Yomba is untrue and falsified observations. The author is urged to retract this statement to save the credibility of our professional policemen and women.

Yapi Akore Kagua-Erave, SHP

Examinations are part of education process

THE scrapping of current grade 8 and 10 examination is not the way forward to build a healthy nation if we are to rely on our human resources. These examinations at early stages keep students mentally and academically active until they reach grade 12. And with the free education system already in place, scrapping of these two very important examinations would mean more drop outs on the streets at the end of grade 12.

10 years ago

Those behind this idea of scrapping these two examinations are short sighted. How can you push for abolishing these two examinations while the free education has already stretched and put more pressure on the infrastructure which are in place today. This will bring into question the quality of people our education system will be producing in our universities when there is evidence of bribery where one can easily pay to get into

PROBE BDA

I AM appalled at the revelation by MP Belden Namah about the level of fraud and corruption prevalent in the Border Development Authority.

It was alleged that the management of BDA bought properties in Australia, Port Moresby and Lae that has no relevance or direct connection to the roles and functions of BDA. Corruption has now become the number one enemy to progress and development in this country. The onus is now on the honest citizens of this country to fi ght fraud and corruption where you fi nd it. I urge Namah to submit whatever evidence he has to the police fraud of fi ce and the Ombudsman Commission for action to be taken against individuals involved in misusing public funds in BDA. Even if evidence are scanty, the police will still conduct their own investigation to uncover more, so Namah please help the police with your information. PNG is now happy to have some great shining light in the Judiciary such as Justice Gibbs Salika and Justice Hartson who are able to deliver justice without fear or favour.

Anti-Corruption CARTOONS ARE GOOD

you are doing so far by proving cartoons in your “yu tok” section is much more readable and understandable than what written and spoken words can express. Keep it up.

Douglas G Boroko

NHC IS AT IT AGAIN!

ONE would hope and think that dubious deals regarding National Housing Commission homes which families have lived in for many years and have rightful and legal claim over them, but it seems some officers in the NHC are still “selling off” homes through deals which are not conducive to the image of the current National Housing Corporation. The NHC’s managing director, John Dege stated in the media that there would not be any sale of NHC houses. However, in this instance, his officers have illegally sold a family home along Angau Drive in Boroko to a company and this company has been pressuring the family to move out. Can Mr Dege look into this issue as some of his officers are not towing the line. We are ready to give in the names of these officers and the company the homes has been sold to. Can the Fraud Squad investigate too.

a university today. The government also needs to take stock and control of our booming population which is out of control where parents just love making babies without any control thus putting huge pressure on lack of services which we lack today which includes the employment sector forcing many onto the streets.

I ALWAYS spend some good time looking at all your cartoons under the “yu tok” section daily as it speas more than what words could express. As the old adage goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” A simple illiterate villager who can’t speaks or read would be able to understand more easily by just looking at the picture. Even in written communication when grammar breaks down, so does communication leading to confusion and ambiguity resulting in misunderstanding or misinterpretation. In an effort to clarify words—written or spoken—what

Stirlitz, Boroko, NETBALL’S GAMBLE

I JUST hope the PNG Netball Federation have done the right move. Why have they brought back players who are already past their prime and expecting them to perform on a stage that is different from 12 years ago. What about all the young blood that trained for more that 24 months. Why have they been dumped? Games are only five months away are these players physically and mentallly prepared?

Observer

The improvement of dental services in Papua New Guinea must be made a priority says Morobe Governor Luther Wenge. PC Feb 8, p4, 2005.

Foreign Affairs officials said that all offices Affairs officials had been filled but the Government was still was deliberating on Fiji on Fiji.

Wanbel Niape Port Moresby

Free health policy shallow

THE Government should strike a balance between its free health care policy and health issues in an attempt to improve health standards in the country, says Opposition Leader Don Polye.

He said this yesterday upon learning that there was lack of infrastructure and staff at the University of Papua New Guinea’s school of medicine and health services in Port Moresby.

“The so-called free health care policy will never address all health problems as it only addresses affordability and access to public health facilities,” Mr Polye said.

He questioned the Government on what it had done about addressing problems of cancer and heart specialist.

“The Opposition, when in power, will ensure all medical schools are adequately funded to address shortage of health workforce.

“It is unjustifiable for the Government to boast about the policy when the basic issues are still outstanding,” the Opposition leader said.

Haiti opens new hotel

MARRIOTT Port-au-Prince, the brand new hotel in Haiti has checked in its first guests this week in a move that is aimed at rebuilding the country’s tourism economy after the devastating earthquake in 2010.

The journey to build the Marriott Port-au-Prince began four years ago when Marriott International reached out to the Clinton Foundation to propose a new hotel to help Haiti rebuild its tourism industry after

the devastating 2010 earthquake.

The company found an eager partner in Digicel Group, which has invested US$45 million (K120.1 million) to build the 175-room hotel.

“The opening of Marriott Port-au-Prince is an important milestone as the people of Haiti work to revitalise and diversify their economy,” the founder of Clinton Foundation and former United States President Bill

Clinton said. “I am grateful to Marriott and Digicel for their commitment to this project, and hope that its success will inspire further investment and opportunity in Haiti.”

The Clinton Foundation visited proposed construction sites with the parties, facilitated introductions to the Haitian government and the Haitian Tourism Association, and encouraged all parties to use the hotel as an opportunity to create

an economic anchor for the community.

The Foundation also worked closely with Marriott and Digicel Group to identify and contract with Haitian entrepreneurs, small businesses and agricultural cooperatives that could provide goods and services to the hotel.

Digicel Group and its Chairman, Denis O’Brien, have been committed to attracting foreign direct investment to Haiti and to

Polye doubts govt fight against TB

OPPOSITION Leader Don Polye has queried Prime Minster Peter O’Neill’s efforts in combating the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Mr Polye said yesterday that Mr O’Neill’s campaign on fighting TB was lacking, given that new reported cases of drug-resistant TB was evident in Milne Bay Province.

“Mr O’Neill should not beat his chest when the epidemic is spreading across the southern region (except Oro) without any control measure being taken.

“The Government’s satisfaction and incompetency in addressing the issue indicates that Mr O’Neill has not been very serious about the issue,” Mr Polye said.

He said top health officials in the United Kingdom and United States had warned that resistance of bac-

teria to medicines was a catastrophe, adding its threat was as serious as that of terrorism and climate change.

“The current prominence of exclusively drug-resistant TB is no surprise but portrays an urgent need to address the crucial issues of drug usage at all level health facilities,” Mr Polye said.

He said a major cause of the acceleration of resistance was the inappropriate use of the medicines, and the inadequate action of the Health Department to monitor drug usage.

The Opposition leader added that there was lack of public awareness on the proper use of antibiotics, and not enough regulations to ensure medicine suppliers and medical personnel sell or prescribe the medicines properly.

Tough fines limit vegetable sellers

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

MANY vegetable sellers in the Highlands often travel to Lae to sell their produce to vendors or black-markets, however, tougher rules and penalties have hindered such small businesses from progressing, says a vegetable farmer.

Mofay Komupa, a local trade-store owner in Lae, revealed that the usual income earning method and process of reselling garden food is interrupted when city authority officers abusively approach them.

“Both sellers and buyers are affected when authorities prolong

the allocation of space for vegetable vendors. If tougher penalties are imposed on vendors, it will interrupt the flow of small-to-medium enterprises in the agricultural sector,” Mrs Komupa said.

According to Haki Kenny, a local tailor, many vendors appreciate when authority staff talk to them in a reasonable manner and advise them on what to do

“When they start speaking abusively to vendors, and demanding unrealistic amounts of fees for the market space they occupy, many vendors do not return to do their marketing,” Mr Kenny said.

helping the country rebuild in the wake of the earthquake.

“All along, we’ve said we were committed to Haiti’s recovery and to delivering on its potential as a great place to invest, and as such, we are thrilled to be opening the doors of Marriott Port-auPrince,” said Mr O’Brien.

“We hope the opening of the hotel will signal that Haiti is truly open for business and is ready to welcome investors and travellers alike.”

K900,000 owed to private hospital

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

VARIOUS clients still owe Tusa Private Hospital in Lae, Morobe Province, more that K900,000 in debts. Hospital audit consultant, Wina Legi, told the PostCourier that the outstanding bills are dated back six years.

“During the six-year period, prior to Tusa Private Hospital’s short term closure, credit customers failed to keep up with their debts,” he said.

“Despite proper medical services provided to over a thousand of these clients, many failed to keep up with their payments.

“As a result, the large amount of money owed to the hospital had led to the temporary closure of Tusa Private Hospital,” Mr Legi said. According to recent reports, about K200,000 in debts were settled while payments worth K680,000 are yet to be collected from former clients.

Meanwhile, Tusa Private Hospital has reopened its doors and services to the general public.

A team of full-time medical officers have already begun conducting consultations with patients.

ATTENDANTS at celebration ceremony of the new hotel, Marriott Port-au-Prince.

Tapo warns teachers

BY SHIRLYN BELDEN

TEACHERS and school boards are warned to refrain from transferring positions without the notice of the national education board, Education Secretary Michael Tapo says.

Mr Tapo on Monday said such behaviour is a breach to the education code and procedure by the national education board and that teachers or schools found doing this would be penalised by having their positions revoked.

He said teachers must remain in their appointed schools.

Such behaviours have caused teachers to be without pay for some time as well as not claiming various claims.

“So we would like to remind all schools and teachers that no more borrowing of positions because if you do that, you will be warned and the boards and those responsible will be disciplined in terms of revoking. So I am reminding the people,” he said.

Statistics on schools a burden

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

NATIONAL statistician Roko

Koloma has challenged the Education Department to coordinate and share information that needs to be shared when it comes to statistics.

“It is a challenge when profiling and making sure there is a fact to whatever we put about the status of education in the country,” the head of the National Statistics Office said.

When speaking at the closure of the week-long out-of-school children initiative training workshop last week, Mr Koloma said education statics were important to develop policies.

“When you use the word, “monitoring and evaluation”, it must not be used lightly, use it wisely so it can take you forward.”

Mr Koloma said profiling the initiative was the first main building block which involves data mapping, data source selection, data analysis and development of country specific indicators.

“As far as NSO is concerned, we are in a reform and it has always been surveys and census. We must understand that it is never easy to coordinate,” he said.

Career expo underway

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

WITH thousands of students graduating from universities and other institutions without plans for the future or jobs, Air Energi and the PNG Australia Alumni Association are hosting a two-day career expo currently underway at Crowne Plaza.

The first day saw hundreds of students from various institutions gather at Crowne Plaza to collect more information on job opportunities from different business houses based in the country.

Unemployed youth, Joe Tia said: “This is a very good opportunity for me to find out what I want to do with my life, where I want to go from here and what to do.”

Student Mary Frank said she had learned a lot of new things from the expo, and she plans to apply for the graduate programs offered by some of the business houses. The career fair will end today. The event will start at 9am and finish at 4pm.

At a glance

CHALLENGE: The Education Department must coordinate and share information that needs to be shared when it comes to statistics.

ROKO KOLOMA: Education statistics are important to develop policies. In the past 20 years, a lot of data had been produced yet nobody in Education had seemed interested.

He said in the past 20 years, a lot of data had been produced yet nobody in the Education Department had gone to NSO to talk about where the education data was down to the ward level.

“We have a system which is called the community profile system and we have an indicator that talks about education.

“For me, it’s about moving forward. We’ve already realised the challenges we have and this must not continue because there is a lot of data in education, and we need to sit down and get the team working.

“If I can profile the country on census, why don’t you people do the same for all the schools?” Mr Koloma said to the participants at the workshop.

STAFF from BSP talking to students at Crowne Plaza, Port Moresby.

Arawa women get business training

BY JACOB IENU

THE Arawa Women’s Training Centre (AWTC) is conducting a one-week training course on business management.

The training is funded by the United States Embassy under its small grant assistance for K9000. It is also the first ever course co-run with the AWTC’s involvement.

The “start your own business” course is to help the public, especially women, start and maintain their business ventures.

“You can’t run a business if you don’t know the ropes on running a business in this competitive environment,” says course facilitator Dr Davidson Anere from the Anere Institution, a company he owns and has offices in Port Moresby and Lae.

Dr Anere is from Samarai, Milne Bay Province, and has more than 36 years experience in the field of business.

At the opening session ATWC manageress Josephine Harepa and chairperson Therese Jaintong thanked all the participants.

Recruits to be upskilled

NEW soldiers of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force are expected to undergo a specialised infantry training program.

The program is initiated by the PNGDF company of excellence at Moem Barracks in Wewak, East Sepik Province.

A total of 73 soldiers attached to the Charlie Company of the Second Royal Pacific Island Regiment had been selected to undergo the training.

The training is designed to achieve a high level of professionalism and discipline in the force, according to PNGDF commander Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo.

Brig-Gen Toropo said the training was part of the 2013 Defence White Paper, which was aimed at improving the force to new heights and standards.

He said the training would be carried out with close supervision from non-commissioned officers and mentors training teams from the Australian army.

It would ensure soldiers master the skills of handling high powered rifles such as M16s.

Event aims to expose products

BY DONALD WILLIE

THE Women in Business is planning to host an expo’ that will allow women to showcase their products to the public on Women’s Day, which falls on March 21.

The three-day event will take place on March 20-22 at the Constitutional Park, previously used to host the 5th Melanesian Arts Festival.

WiB director Janet Sape, pictured, is calling on interested women in the informal and formal business sector to contact the organisation for a chance to promote what they had been doing and the products they were selling.

Mrs Sape said the event is a lead up to the major expo’ the organisation would host during the Pacific Games in July.

“We are connecting the informal sector together with the formal business women to come together to know who is in what business so we can support each other and work together in women in partnership,” Mrs Sape said.

Already the National Museum and Art Gallery have agreed to allow the WiB to use the vacant office space inside the festival village grounds, and Mrs Sape has engaged the reformed youths to

At a glance

EXPOSURE:

Women in Business is planning to host an expo’ that will allow women to showcase their products to the public.

VENUE: The three-day event will take place on March 20-22 at the Constitutional Park, Port Moresby.

clean up the place.

Commercial manager for the National Museum and Art Gallery, Steven Kilanda, said the museum was happy to be partners with the Women in Business.

“We want this place to be a conducive and safe environment and have visitors both internationally and locally.”

DR Davidson Anere delivering “business talk” to women participants at Arawa Women’s Training Centre (AWTC).

Calls to probe army incident

BY DENYSE KALAU

THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force hierarchy has been urged to speed up investigations into the alleged misconduct of soldiers in Daru, Western Province.

The call was made by provincial police commander for Western Province, Chief Inspector Sliver Sika, following an incident where five soldiers based in Daru, who were allegedly under the influence of alcohol, broke into a shop and got away with goods worth thousands of kina.

Chief Insp Sika told the Post-Courier yesterday that it has been two weeks since the incident took place but no arrests have been made because the soldiers involved in the criminal act had already left Daru and are now in Port Moresby.

Mr Sika expressed frustration in the manner in which

the soldiers used force and abusive languages to demand goods from the shop owner.

He described the actions of the few soldiers as “uncalled for” and appealed to the soldiers to uphold the rule of law because no one is above the law.

Mr Sika also appealed to the PNGDF top brass to have those responsible soldiers flown into Daru to be arrested and charged by the police in Daru for their criminal act.

“The five soldiers should come forward to the police for questioning so that appropriate actions can be taken,” he said.

Chief Insp Sika while commending the majority of the soldiers for their good work, said only a few soldiers tarnish the good name of the force by getting involved in criminal activities and they need to be dismissed from the force immediately.

MP to save school from closing

MEMBER for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko yesterday visited Butuka Primary School in Kirakira.

The school board and management decided to shut its gate on Tuesday upon receiving notice from the Health Department with regards to health and safety issues at the school.

“Those who are responsible have let our children down big time,” Mr Tkatchenko said. He was especially concerned at the state of the ablution block.

“This is clearly a result of negligence, those who don’t care about the result of their actions, and those that are affected,” he said.

Mr Tkatchenko addressed the school assembly and said he will do all he can to make sure the school stays open.

“We have had to step in because people in the respective offices responsible are not doing their jobs,” he said.

MR Tkatchenko addresses the Butuka Primary School assembly.

Curriculum training begins

THE standard-based curriculum training of trainers program was opened by the deputy Education Secretary Uke Kombra yesterday at the Paula Mek guest house in Mt Hagen.

The training of trainers for the new curriculum was conducted to educate teachers about the basic and simple curricular to be used in classes next year.

The training started off with the elementary teachers as elementary is the foundation of a child’s education and he or she must be equipped with the basic skills such as reading and writing before moving on to a primary level.

The training is part of government moves to replace the country’s education system from the outcomes-based education (OBE) curriculum to the standards-based education (SBE) system.

Officials from the curriculum development and assessment division of the Department of Education in Port Moresby were lead by Mr Kombra to train and fully equip the teachers with standard quality knowledge so they go back and educate other teachers in their own districts about SBC.

The advantage is that most teachers are familiar with the SBC system and for them to implement in class will not be a problem unlike OBE, which most teachers find challenging.

LLG leader hails govt

KUTUBU local level government president John Kila has praised the Government for the successful implementation of the free education policy throughout the country.

Mr Kila also commended the Southern Highlands Provincial Government with support from Finance Minister James Marape for removing the burden of people in remote places like Kutubu.

Schools in Southern Highlands and Kutubu LLG received their school uniforms in the tuition fee free component of the free education policy last week.

Mr Kila said people in remote places are struggling to pay school fees and uniforms for their children.

This burden has been lifted from their shoulders by the Government, he said, adding that the ministers respon-

sible, Nick Kuman, James Marape and Governor William Powi are given the task of having payments fast tracked to assist parents.

He said he would like to see more of such policies that must be effectively implemented by the responsible agencies.

He called on provincial governments throughout the country to take full responsibility in ensuring that Government’s priority policies are implemented successfully and effectively.

Mr Kila also appealed to parents and citizens of the country to support the current Government in the implementation of the free education policy and subsidised health care. “The people must take full ownership of the policies and assist responsible agencies to implement and deliver them to the people,” he said

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NOSSII Tisap from Enga, an elementary teacher in Mt Hagen, dressed in a PNG flag meri blouse a traditional Engan headdress known as ‘takop’ to welcome officers to the elementary curriculum training.

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Indian govt to sponsor students

BOYS FROM BASAMUK REFINERY

MOBILE equipment maintenance staff at the Basamuk refinery say they are learning new skills since the refinery’s establishment in Madang. They are seen here with two Chinese colleagues who have been helpful in teaching them new skills.

More emphasis on education

EDUCATION is one of the key sectors in PNG, which means that both students and teachers should be given equal priorities in their teaching and learning.

A representative from the National Planning office of education Jonathan Kenneth, said the

government has seen a greater need for having primary school teachers teaching at the most remote parts of this country. He said as a result the government has implemented a domestic scholarship for local graduates to go back and bring service to their

people. He said the government has come up with a new initiative by giving opportunities to grade 12 school leavers to do further studies in primary teaching under the human resource development program(HRDP) phase one project funded by the European Union.

These trainee teachers will go back to their respective villages and local level government council areas to serve their people. “At most instances many school children at rural areas are being affected because there are no teachers to teach them,” Mr Kenneth said.

UNDERGRADUATES from the University of Technology will be given opportunities to further their studies at Indian universities under an Indian government sponsored scholarship. This was announced during signing of a memorandum of understanding for rice research programs between Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) of India and Unitech on Tuesday. Team leader and registrar of TNAU, Ramalingam Rabindran, said the signing of the MoU will serve as a platform for learning and research for PNG students. Mr Ramalingam said TNAU has played an important role in the forest green resolution which engages different productions such as food processing. He said TNAU is aiming to achieve all productions they have initiated through partnership programs with universities, including Unitech. “I believe this collaboration will be a very strong collaboration between TNAU and PNG which with the cooperation of the Indian universities where it can improve the quality of education, research and technology in Unitech,” he said.

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

International team in B’ville

AN international team is working with the Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Bougainville governments to support the 2015 Bougainville elections.

The National Government and the ABG had told international partners their wish to deliver free and fair elections to the people of Bougainville.

In close consultation with the PNG Electoral Commission, the ABG had formally requested international technical assistance to assist with preparations and capac-

ity building for the elections.

A joint international team of Australia and New Zealand technical election experts began deploying this month.

Australian High Commissioner Deborah Stokes said that as part of a multi-national effort, Australia’s assistance would support efforts by the Bougainville electoral commission to undertake credible and transparent elections.

New Zealand High Commissioner Tony Fautua said New Zealand recognised the challenges fac-

ing the ABG in undertaking this election and was pleased to respond positively to the request to help meet their commitment to holding free and fair elections.

The international technical experts will work with Bougainville Electoral Commission staff in Buka, Arawa and Buin. The assistance will include training, election operations, the electoral roll database, logistics, procurement, and voter awareness. The team will work in Bougainville for about four months, until the polling ends.

NGO supplies mosquito nets

ARAWA-based non government organisation, Good Samaritan Natural Disaster Volunteers (GSNDV) has given back to local company Jomik Trading by supplying treated mosquito nets for the company employees. The treated mosquito nets were handed over

to Jomik Arawa branch supervisor Samuel Peniai by GSNDV protocol officer Mama Lucy in a small but significant ceremony at the company’s premises.

The nets will be sent to the company’s employees and their families who are based in Kokopau,

North Bougainville.

Mama Lucy identified the need for the Jomik Trading employees to sleep under mosquito nets when she slept in Kokopau on one of her official trips to Buka. She returned and organised for the mosquito nets to be delivered.

School supplies rolled out

BY ROMULUS MASIU

THE Government’s tuition fee free (TFF) education commodity component is on the road now with officials’ traveling to schools to disburse school supplies on mainland Bougainville.

It is being carried out by Treid Pacific Limited, which won the contract to supply school materials to school children right across the country. The program is targeting elementary right up to secondary schools where students will receive a package each consisting of school materials for a term.

Treid Pacific Limited education manager Albert Nangoi, who is distributing materials in all Central and South Bougainville schools, said they’ve already completed North Bougainville schools and two districts in South Bougainville which is Bana and Torokina.

Mr Nangoi is accompanied by TFF Bougainville coordinator Michael Meten.

Mr Meten, the former head of Bougainville education, said the program was launched in Bana district by Minister for Education Nick Kuman with the aim of bringing education services right down to the grassroots people.

“The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill opted for schools throughout the country despite the location are receiving the same kind of materials – both in the rural areas and in towns,” Mr Nangoi said.

According to Mr Meten materials are landing and going to schools on a right timing when schools have nothing in stock at this time of the year as the academic year gets underway.

He said the schools are very appreciative of the school supplies.

“Each students will receive a prepacked package school supply for term one and it is transparently done and signed off by the student and head teachers upon issuing of the supplies in schools,” Mr Meten said.

He said the new exercise saves the schools the trouble and costs of travelling to urban centres looking for school materials and supplies.

Bougainville has 346 elementary schools, 280 primary schools and 13 high/secondary schools.

While supplying school materials to schools, the distributor Treid Pacific Limited is also embarking on collecting fresh data that it will supply to the Education Department for further improvement on distribution of education materials.

TREID Paci fic’s education manager Albert Nangoi, Bougainville coordinator Michael Meten and Kieta education of fi cer Simon Taniung finalising the distribution list. Picture: JACOB IENU

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Gas expected to triple output by 2040

BY GLORIA BAUAI

BUSINESS for the liquefied natural gas is expected to more than triple to nearly 100BCFD in the next two and a half decades, as the demand for energy, especially in the Asia Pacific region, continues to increase.

According to the Outlook for Energy, which is annually developed by ExxonMobil as a foundation for their business strategies and investments, up to 50 per cent of demand for natural gas will be met by the LNG imports from countries such as PNG, come 2040.

This outlook was presented yesterday by Rob Gardner, manager of the energy and economics division in ExxonMobil’s corporate strategic planning department. From studying the demand and supply trend for energy against economic growth globally, the Outlook predicts this increase of new demand for energy will be a result of population and income growth and an unprecedented expansion of the global middle class.

Referring to estimated statistics, Gardner explained that 80 per cent of the global middle class are from developing countries and basing on their doubling GDP from 2010 up through to the Outlook period, this rapid increase in earning power will start seeing changes in societies.

Furthermore, he said this estimated population of middle class globally is expected to more than double over the period and more importantly, economic growth in these areas will increase by 4-5 percent over certain periods leading up to 2040.

The bottom line

About

Exxon’s energy outlook bright

BY GLORIA BAUAI

A PRESENTATION yesterday on ExxonMobil’s Outlook for Energy has given a better picture of the demand and supply growth trend of energy on a global scale through to 2040.

Presented by Rob Gardner, the manager of the energy and economics division in ExxonMobil’s corporate strategic planning department, Outlook for Energy offers important perspectives about factors that will drive the world’s energy needs in the coming decades.

“We study energy to know what will happen in the future with the objective to come up with a pretty balanced view of the future from these studies.” Mr Gardner said helping individuals, businesses and governments to better understand elements that shape future energy supply and

39,000 gallons

demand around the world is essential to aid investments and create effective energy policies.

“The Outlook for energy provides ExxonMobil’s long-term view of global energy demand and supply and these findings help guide the company’s investments, which support its business strategy,” Gardner said.

Mr Garner said developing countries will represent 80 per cent of glo-

of water are used to produce the average car!

bal energy demand by 2040, making natural gas the fastest-growing major fuel source expected to be by then as its demand increases by 65 per cent.

According to the outlook, half of the increase in demand will come from Asia Pacific, being led by China, as the fast growing economy.

It’s also estimated that by 2040, rising natural gas demand will be met with abundant new supplies and significant expansion in trade as unconventional gas production nearly quadruples and LNG trade triples; to which PNG is an important contributor to regional LNG supplies.

Outlook for Energy also sees that gas production in Asia Pacific will double by 2040 as demand is expected to climb by about 170 per cent, resulting in Asia Pacific overtaking Europe and being the world’s largest gas importer.

Market Snapshot

$A drops on weak investment figures

Disappointing business investment figures have taken the Australian dollar down a peg, fuelling expectations of a rate cut next week. At 1700 AEDT on Thursday, the local currency was trading at 78.47 US cents, down from 78.88 cents on Wednesday. The Australian dollar hit 79 US cents early on Thursday morning, as US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen’s semi-annual testimony to Congress disappointed market expectations.

PNG LNG project overview. - pnglng.com

The Outlook for energy provides ExxonMobil’s long term view of global energy demand and supply ...

ROB GARDNER Port Moresby

NBPOL cancels LSE stock listing

NEW BRITAIN Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), one of the world’s largest fully integrated producers of sustainable palm oil has cancelled or delisted on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in the United Kingdom.

The company issued a notice referring to the announcement dated February 24, regarding the level of acceptances received by Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd (Sime Darby Plantation) in response to its cash offer for all the issued and to be issued shares in NBPOL at a price of GBP 7.15 or K28.79 per share (offer).

Following the closing of the offer, total acceptances representing approximately 98.8% of NBPOL’s voting shares have been received by Sime Darby Plantation.

“In accordance with Section 3.4 of the offer document, NBPOL intends to apply to the UK Listing Authority and the LSE requesting the cancellation of trading in NBPOL ordinary shares (in the form of depositary interests) on the LSE’s market for listed securities and of the listing of the shares on the official List of the UK Listing Authority.

Pursuant to Listing Rule 5.2.11, the company announces that the cancellation notice period has now commenced and cancellation is expected to take effect from 8:00 am (London time) on March 25, 2015.”

Such cancellation of listing and admission to trading is expected to significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of any NBPOL shares not accepted into the offer.

As stated in section 2.2 of NBPOL’s target company statement, NBPOL will also need to consider if it continues to satisfy the free float requirements of PoMSoX.

It said a further update on the status of the company’s PoMSoX listing will be provided to shareholders in due course.

Kennedy heads board

FORMER Post-Courier managing director Don Kennedy is the new chairman of the newspaper’s board of directors.

He succeeds Keith Brodie who has stepped down as chair after a year on the board of the newspaper’s parent company, South Pacific Post Limited (SPP).

Mr Kennedy was the MD of the company from 1986 to 1989 and later served as board director for over 10 years before his elevation to chairman.

He returns to the helm of the company at an interesting juncture in the history of Papua New

Guinea with Port Moresby set to host the 2015 Pacific Games in July and the celebration of the country’s 40th independence anniversary two months later.

“The games and the 40th independence anniversary celebrations in September will be milestones for Papua New Guinea, opening up opportunities for the Post-Courier, its readers and shareholders,” he said.

“We are excited and it is an honour for me as board chairman to join other board members to be witness to these events this year.

The newspaper looks forward to

supporting the country and its people to ensure the two events are memorable.”

Air Niugini maintains high standard for pilot recruitment

AIR NIUGINI still maintains a very high standard for its minimum pilot entry requirement with thorough and comprehensive recruitment processes.

Chief executive officer, Simon Foo said this following recent claims in the media that the airline was recruiting cheap expatriate pilots for direct entry captain positions.

Mr Foo said: “Air Niugini requirements are higher than most other airlines due to the environment that we operate in. We have a vigorous, comprehensive and detailed recruitment process that the pilots go through before they are confirmed to their positions.

Air Niugini also has its own internal training program which the airline capitalises on to increase capacity and promote pilots from one aircraft type to the other. This company process is to recognise loyal staff of the Airline.

The new pilots being recruited will help to increase capacity, filling in areas where our pilots have moved up from.

The airline’s in-house training for this year has already commenced at the end of last month.

“We currently have four serving captains and two first officers being promoted on Fokker 100 aircraft, two captains on the B 737 with more promotion in line for pilots on the B737, Q400 and Dash 8 aircraft. It’s a very thorough and compliant process,” Mr Foo said.

Mr Foo concluded that Air Niugini has a proud safety record to maintain and will not in any way jeopardise its current pilot recruitment standard.

Former Prime Minister Sir

Rabbie Namaliu and prominent lawyer Winifred Kamit are also directors on the SPP board.

AIR NIUGINI CEO Simon Foo

The newspaper looks forward to ensuring the two events are memorable ...

DON KENNEDY Port Moresby DON Kennedy

Sime Darby Q2 profit tumbles on price rout

MALAYSIA’S

Sime Darby Bhd, the world’s biggest listed palm oil producer, said second-quarter net profit slid 47% hit by a commodities rout, flooding and an oversupply of competing oilseeds.

Malaysian palm oil prices, which set the tone for global prices, fell 9% in the October-December period from a year earlier, the worst quarter in two years. Over 2014, they fell 15%. “The sharp decline in crude oil prices and slowdown in global economic growth have exacerbated the need to push for greater productivity and cost efficiency,” chief executive Mohd Bakke Salleh said in a statement.

Net profit declined to 437.4 million ringgit ($122 million or K322.32 million). Revenue, however, inched up 0.3% to 10.74 billion ringgit (K7.96 billion).

Malaysia, the world’s second-largest palm grower, saw its overall palm production fall 22 percent in December alone due to flooding.

Sime Darby said that the heavy rain and severe floods were responsible for its fresh fruit bunch yields dropping 12 per cent in quarter.

The company last month won approval from the European Commission to buy New Britain Palm Oil Ltd for $1.74 billion (K4.64 billion), which would give Sime significant and high-yielding land holdings in Papua New Guinea.

Bakke said that the proposed take over is “progressing well” and that Sime looks forward to completing the deal by the end of this quarter.

BSP nets total profit of K15.4b ending 2014

DESPITE a slowdown in the PNG economy during the year, Bank South Pacific (BSP) Group has achieved solid results in 2014 toping off the year with a consolidated operating profit after tax of K507.3 million.

BSP chairman Kostas Constantinou yesterday while releasing results for the full-year to December 13, 2014, highlighted that the group recorded a consolidated operating profit after tax of K507.3 million for 2014 financial year, a 16.1% increase on consolidated 2013 operating profit after tax of K436.8 million.

The ban also revealed that total assets of the group increased by approximately K116 million

to K15.877 billion. Group revenues have increased 4% during the year. Revenue growth has come from interest income streams, in particular treasury bills and inscribed stock. Revenues from foreign exchange income reduced from K184.5m for the first half of 2014 to K83m for the next half of 2014 following changes to the margin bands on foreign exchange.

Mr Constantinou said the bank’s achievements are similarly strong with after tax profits growing 20.7% to K512.9 million from K424.8 million in 2013.

Its total assets at the end of 2014 are at K15.415 billion while loans and advances to custom-

ers and portfolio has seen net growth of K1.505 billion to K6.749 billion.

Customer deposits continue to grow steadily (up 4.1% to K12.8b), mainly in the retail and government segments in PNG, and in the corporate segment in Fiji.

The Bank’s operating expenses show reductions of K41.7m and operating expenses will continue to be a focus in 2015.

The cost to income ratio for the Bank is 46.5% down from 51.7% in 2013. This includes BSP Life operational costs, and is the main contributor to a higher cost to income ratio for the group of 50.4%, albeit down from 54.8% in 2013. The chair-

man stated that its capital base remains sound.

Total capital adequacy at the end of 2014 is 24% notwithstanding the impact of continued growth in balance sheet assets as well as total dividend payments of K309.141m. The capital adequacy ratio exceeds the minimum Bank of Papua New Guinea prudential requirement of 12.00%.

He also highlighted that last year, with the support of the National Government, BSP launched the first Home Ownership loan scheme.

Customers meeting the criteria are able to access a Housing Loan at very low interest rates and over a term of 40 years.

Travel Card to aid movement in MSG region

THE COMMITMENT by Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)

Trade Ministers under the Port Moresby Declaration to strengthen economic integration by enhancing connectivity through the development of an MSG Travel Card for business people is among the priority activities of the MSG Secretariat in 2015.

The Ministerial instruction for liaison with the Asia Pacific

Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat in Singapore as well as with relevant authorities in Papua New Guinea as first steps for developing the Travel Card has been described by MSG Director General, Peter Forau, as “another exciting initiative” for his team at the Secretariat.

“We have assigned a team of senior Secretariat staff to visit Port Moresby and Singapore for discussions with the

authorities in both capitals on the mechanisms that led to the establishment of the APEC Business Travel Card, as well as on their experiences with the actual use of that Travel Card,” Forau said.

“The membership of Papua New Guinea of both MSG and APEC presents a distinct advantage not only for MSG but also for the entire Pacific Islands, particularly during the present

build-up to the year 2018 when the Government of Papua New Guinea will assume the APEC Chair,” Forau added.

Initiated by the APEC Business Advisory Council, the APEC Business Travel Card which facilitates business travel between its member economies is widely acknowledged as a major milestone of the APEC community. - MSG SECRETARIAT/PACNEWS

MARKET stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables stretched along the road heading towards Nadzab Airport in Lae.

ROADSIDE MARKET

China flexibility an asset to Pacific aid projects

AN ACADEMIC says Pacific Island nations have become savvy at securing international partnerships that shape their development.

Paul D’Arcy, from the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific, is one of the speakers at this week’s ‘China and the Pacific’ conference at the National University of Samoa which is examining Chinese role in the region.

Delegates have noted an increase in Chinese aid projects in the Pacific region.

Dr D’Arcy says Island governments have learnt how to seek out beneficial aid partnerships and the Chinese are good at listening to what the islands want.

“What we are now seeing is the nature of Chinese aid, is that we get Chinese entrepreneurs or Chinese companies coming and saying what do you want? Because they have to go sell that then to Chinese state banks and so it’s very much more so a partnership at a ground level getting these aid programs going.”

Paul D’Arcy says China is flexible and learning more about aid delivery by working with other donor countries in the Pacific, such as with Australia on malaria prevention in Papua New Guinea, and with New Zealand on a water project in the Cook Islands. - RNZI

Qantas soars back into profitability

SYDNEY: Qantas has soared back to profit, jettisoning last year’s almost $3 billion in losses and delivering its best interim result in four years.

In the space of 12 months, and just one year into a multibillion cost-cutting drive that includes plans to ultimately shed 5000 jobs, the carrier’s Irish-born chief Alan Joyce has steered Qantas back into the black.

Australia’s biggest carrier on Thursday announced a net profit of $203 million, a turnaround from a $235 million loss at the same time last year, and after recording a full-year net loss of $2.8 billion for 2013/14.

The airline revealed an underlying 2014/15 first half profit of

$367 million, beating forecasts of between $300 million and $350 million.

Qantas International was profitable for the first time since the global financial crisis with underlying earnings of $59 million - a turnaround of $321 million over the same period last year.

The airline’s domestic arm recorded underlying earnings of $227 million, up $170 million. Qantas shares rose four cents to a four-year high of $2.85.

Mr Joyce said the transformation program, which aims to cut costs by $2 billion, had already delivered $374 million in benefits.

Qantas has already cut 3,800 jobs, with another 1,200 to be axed by 2017.

“Without the impact of transformation, Qantas would not be profitable today,” Mr Joyce said.

“We’re not there yet. This is only year one of a three-year transformation program.”

Unions seized on the airline’s turnaround in fortunes, saying

the Qantas workforce and their families had borne the brunt of wage freezes and redundancies.

“Alan Joyce made just over $2 million last year when Qantas posted a $2.8 billion loss,” TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said.

“Our members meanwhile find it difficult to pay their bills because their hours have been cut or they are employed on a casual basis.

“We are calling a halt to this robbery of the community’s economic freedom.”

Bank of America Merrill Lynch said Qantas’ outlook could be expected to prompt upgrades to profit forecasts.AAP

Iron ore prices continue to drop

THE PLUNGING iron ore price has continued to hurt the fortunes of Australia’s iron ore miners.

The world’s biggest miner, BHP Billiton, said interim net profit fell by almost half, thanks in part to a supply glut of its own making which drove down iron ore prices.

Smaller Australian miners like Atlas Iron and BC Iron were the collateral damage as the iron ore giants, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Vale and

FIBRE OPTIC DEAL

THE SAMOAN Government is on the verge of sealing a multi-million tala arrangement that will revolutionize Samoa’s telecommunication capacity and capabilities. Three offers are on the table for the Cabinet appointed board to determine a new submarine fiber optic cable provider for Samoa. Funding and management are also up for the board’s deliberations.

NZ MISS OUT SUPER

SOME Pacific New Zealanders are missing out on NZ Super while over 70,000 immigrants receive NZ Super after only 10 years, says New Zealand First. “It’s unfair that there is a group of New Zealanders who have worked and paid taxes for decades but are denied NZ Super at the age of 65,” says Leader Winston Peters. “Presently they must have lived at least five years in New Zealand after the age of 50 to be eligible.

BANK REFORMS

STRUCTURAL reform needs to be sustained post-election to raise the economy’s productive capacity for Fiji to fully leverage on the anticipated increase in investments, according to ANZ Bank. In it’s recently released Asia Pacific Economics: Pacific Quarterly report, the bank said the economy was growing above trend and policies need to be calibrated. Tighter monetary policy might be necessary to moderate credit growth.

Fortescue Metals, competed with each other to ramp up production.

These small firms need iron ore prices above $US80 to maintain profitable margins but the benchmark price is currently trading at just above $US60.

The supply glut has caused iron ore prices to fall by around half since mid last year to just under $US64.00 a tonne, the lowest in more than five years.

BHP Billiton has reaped what it helped sow.

Net profit for the first half of the 2015 financial year fell by 47.4 per cent to nearly $US4.3 billion due to lower commodity prices but particularly because of the lower price of iron ore as the big producers battled it out for market share.

But BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie made no apologies while briefing analysts on the company’s profit result. “Strong supply growth most notably in iron ore and petroleum had led to weaker

commodity prices,” he told the briefing.

“Chinese demand for iron ore was flat over the period.

“Over the medium term as new seaborne supply continues to exceed growth in demand we expect iron ore prices to remain subdued.”

Investors were happy because they got their promised higher dividend payout.

BHP Billiton shares rose $0.94 or nearly 3 per cent to $33.06. - ABC

PARTICIPANTS gather at the opening of the China and the Pacific conference at the National University of Samoa.RNZI

Without the impact of transformation, Qantas would not be profitable today ...

ALAN JOYCE Australia

DOZENS OF AUSSIE’S TO JOIN ISLAMIC STATE

UP to 40 Australian women have taken part in terror attacks or are supporting militant groups, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said. There is an increase in the number of women going to Syria and Iraq to join husbands fighting with IS or marry a militant. Picture: BBC

International affairs role raised

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has revealed a role related to international affairs was raised in a discussion with Gillian Triggs in which she was told the Attorney-General no longer had confidence in her as president of the Human Rights Commission.

The HRC chief told a Senate committee earlier this week that days before she released a damning report into children in detention, the chief bureaucrat of the Attorney-General’s department had asked her to resign.

Department secretary Chris Moraitis told the committee he did not ask for her resignation, but had told her she had lost the confidence of Senator Brandis and they discussed the possibility of her taking on another government role.

The Opposition pursued the matter in Question Time, asking repeatedly what role was discussed, referring to it as an “inducement”.

Ms Bishop said Professor Triggs was not offered a new job.

“There was no job offer made to the president of the Human Rights Commission,” she told Parliament.

“There was no request for her to

Man pleads not guilty to ‘child bride’ charge

A TEENAGER accused of taking a child bride has denied he married the 15-year-old girl in a backyard ceremony despite police tapping his phone and hearing him refer to the girl as his wife.

Mustafa Abdel Ghany, 19, was charged on Wednesday with marrying the girl under “Islamic law” in a backyard ceremony at the bride’s father’s home in south-west Sydney in November.

It is the first time the Child Abuse Squad has charged a man with marrying a person of non-marriageable age.

On Thursday, Mr Abdel Ghany pleaded not guilty to the charge in Bankstown Local Court. His father threw a cup of coffee towards reporters as the family left court.

Police allege he tried to cover up the marriage by telling his son to move the girl’s belongings into his house from the granny flat they were both living in.

At a glance

ACCUSATION: A teenager accused of taking a child bride has denied he married the 15-year-old girl in a backyard ceremony despite police tapping his phone and hearing him refer to the girl as his wife.

TEENAGER: Mustafa Abdel Ghany, 19, was charged on Wednesday with marrying the girl under “Islamic law” in a backyard ceremony.

Parents of both the alleged bride and groom denied that they were married, according to police documents tendered in court.

The girl’s father allegedly told police there was a ceremony in his backyard, attended by a sheikh and several friends, but it was only an engagement.

“He did not want it to happen, but felt there was nothing he could do to stop it,” the police documents state.

However, a friend who

attended the wedding allegedly told police, “No it was a marriage, [the bride] invited me to it.”

When arrested by police on Wednesday, Mr Abdel Ghany denied the marriage had taken place, denied there was any ceremony and denied having sexual relations with the girl, the police documents state.

However, phone intercepts revealed him referring to her as his wife. Police also seized his phone and found a photo of him and the girl lying on a bed in a granny flat behind his parents’ house.

Police allege Mr Abdel Ghany, who was 18 at the time of the marriage, moved in to the granny flat with his wife soon after. Phone intercepts also allegedly captured Mr Abdel Ghany’s mother and father saying they were suspicious that police were investigating their son so his wife should move her belongings into the main house. –stuff news

resign and there was no inducement offered. “A role was raised that related to international affairs.

“As the secretary of the AttorneyGeneral’s department said in Senate estimates, it was a sensitive matter that he did not wish to give details of in Senate estimates so I don’t give details of it.”

The Opposition accused the Government of playing word games over the issue, asking them to explain the difference “between a specific role and a job offer”.

“There is a world of difference, “ Ms Bishop responded.

“It depends on who raised the issue of a role and no specific job offer was made.” Further questions prompted Prime Minister Tony Abbott to emphasise the phrase that “it would depend on by whom it was raised”.

Tensions have been high between the Government and the HRC since the release of the commission’s report into the detention of asylum seeker children, which was swiftly described by Mr Abbott as a “blatantly partisan, politicised exercise”.

-ABC news

Fiji, PNG, Nauru under fire

AMNESTY International has criticised Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Nauru for failing to protect human rights in its annual look at human rights abuse around the world. It has also criticised Australia’s camps for asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island in PNG.

Bridget Tunnicliffe reports:

“In its 2014 Annual Report on The State of the World’s Human Rights, Amnesty says despite Fiji holding its first election last year since the

2006 military coup, a climate of fear and self-censorship prevails.

It says new electoral laws expanded restrictions on freedom of expression, and abuses by security forces continue in an environment where government officials and security forces enjoy widespread immunity.

The organisation criticised the PNG government for taking little action to address violence against women or sorcery-related violence.

– RNZI

A workshop to be co-hosted by the Institute of National Affairs (INA) and the Crawford School of the Australian National University (ANU) on a theme titled;

Unemployed face despair

THE employment situation in the Northern Territory’s remote Indigenous community of Nauiyu is desperate, and even likened to a horror film by one resident. Located in the Territory’s Daly River region, it is easy to find people who are dejected about not having a job.

Venue: Lamana Hotel Conference Room

Date: 5th March 2015

Time: 8:30am- 5:15pm

This conference is presented by the INA/CIMC and the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

For registration and RSVP to Ms Moale Sabadi on or telephone 321 1044/1045 or via email moale.sabadi@cimcpng.org.

Speaking to the ABC, 22-year-old Dion Minggun at first said he could not remember what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“Not sure, nah.”

Asked if he had any dreams about being an astronaut as a child he said he once wanted to be a policeman, but that was

Quick news

FORUM TALKS OFF

ADB LOAN 2978- PNG Maritime and Waterways Safety Project

The National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) is the state entity responsible for developing, and promoting, monitoring and maintaining maritime safety standards in Papua New Guinea (PNG), consistent with legislation and commitments under National Legislations and International Conventions in order to facilitate a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible shipping sector for stakeholders, the government, industry and the coastal community.

In this regard, the Government of Papua New Guinea has recently obtained a loan from the Asian Development Bank to fund the PNG Maritime & Waterways Safety Project which will be implemented over the 3 ½ years starting in February 2015. The project is expected to further improve the safety and efficiency of international shipping along with small craft safety in PNG.

As such, the Authority is now calling on qualified and experienced PNG Citizens for the following positions to be filled in 2015.

Position No: MWSP/PIU/05 and MWSP/PIU/06 – 2 x Community and Lands Coordinators (3 ½ years duration)

Reports to the Project Manager, prime responsibility is to work alongside the Gender, Community and Lands Specialist in carrying out necessary work for any community activities including land acquisition and leases for temporary land use, conducting feasibility site assessments, collecting baseline data, implementing social economic assessments and gender analyses; further part of this role is in capacity building and community education.

Requirements/Qualifications:

Degree in Social Science (Community Development, Land Management Studies, Education, Law, etc)

Work experience: At least 5 years work experience and work in communities;

2 – 3 years experience of dealing with local communities and state agencies involved in land matters; Experience in capacity building and training; Knowledge of gender and other cross cutting issues; Must have excellent communication and writing skills; Must have skills in data collection and leading interviews in communities.

Essential: Knowledge of community issues, organisations and internal community relationships; cultural authority to

discuss sensitive cultural matters; ability to think strategically and communicate ideas to a range of audiences; willingness to travel to remote areas and work in a diverse team.

Position No: MWSP/PIU/08 – Hydrographer (2 ½ years duration)

Reports to the Project Manager and provides support to the Hydrographic Specialist. The prime responsibility is to facilitate hydrographic survey under the project which includes collection of date set and deliverable of surveys, check-up of vessels, equipment and personnel deployed for the survey to ensure compliance with national and international standards. This includes liaising with the Australian Hydrographic Services on the production of ENC Charts.

A minimum of Bachelor Degree in Hydrography is required along with 3 years experience in similar projects especially surveying of the marine environment.

Job Descriptions and other essential information can be obtained by contacting the Project Manager, Eric Petrus on email; epetrus@nmsa.gov.pg or Gender and Community Specialist, Claudia Strier on email; cstrier@windowslive.com

The PIU under the NMSA provides attractive salary and renumeration packages for the right candidate. If you have the skills and experience required for any of these positions and are interested, submit your application to:

The Project Manager

Maritime and Waterways Safety Project

National Maritime Safety Authority Level 4, Defens Haus

P O Box 668

PORT MORESBY National Capital District

Reference: ADB LOAN 2978: Maritime and Waterways Safety Project

Applications

cations and details of three contactable

Makes you feel like shit really, not to be able to...

in the past.

Nauiyu (pronounced like ‘how are you’, says one local) is about three hours’ drive from Darwin, depending on your luck with flooding and road trains.

Mr Minggun does not have a job, which he said was common for people in Nauiyu.

“Makes you feel shit really, not to be able to

have a job,” he said.

“Just disappointed in yourself, like.

“Not having money is pretty hard.”

Miriam Rose Baumann described the job situation in Nauiyu as being like a horror film.

“The description I’ve given, with people walking around town like zombies is because there’s nothing else to do around the community,” she said.

“They sit around all day because there are no opportunities.”

She is a Daly River elder and was the Northern Territory’s first fully trained Indigenous teacher. -ABC news

The Australian government has decided to delay holding a Pacific Leader’s meeting to discuss the structure of regional bodies, the Fiji Sun newspaper reports. During last Octobers visit to Fiji, the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, proposed a meeting to look at the structure of regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum. It was to be held in Sydney in February. Fiji, which had been suspended from the Forum, had said it would not resume its seat under the body’s current format. An Australian high commission spokesperson in Fiji says it was clear after their consultations with other leaders that holding the meeting this month would not suit everyone.

TORTURE IN FIJI

A HUMAN rights researcher says Fiji’s ratification of both the UN Convention Against Torture and its optional protocol would send out a strong message internationally, Radio New Zealand International reports. Fiji’s parliament is reviewing whether to sign up to the treaty which obliges countries to prevent torture and redress victims. Kate Schuetze of Amnesty International says signing the optional agreement as well would offer victims of torture redress through the United Nations, if they have no luck in their own country. She says if Fiji ratifies the convention it would have to report to the UN on progress every two years.

PM ATTACK DISMISSED

TONGA’S acting attorney-general, Aminiasi Kefu, has defended his involvement in the Lord Tu’ilakepa gun case, saying he was advising the court as his position requires. This follows a scathing attack on him by the prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, who claimed that Mr Kefu had ignored public empathy, and lacked impartiality, independence and fairness in pleading a lesser sentence, RNZI reports. Lord Tu’ilakepa was fined on the illegal possession of guns and ammunition charges. Mr Kefu says there are inaccuracies in the prime minister’s statement and it shows little understanding of how the law works.

FIJIAN SAILOR MISSING

THE Kiribati high commission in Fiji says one Fijian sailor has been found and another is still missing after what is being reported as a fatal accident over the weekend in the Phoenix islands in Kiribati, RNZI reports. It says the two men were crew members of a cargo vessel belonging to Fijian company, Cruz Holdings. The men had reportedly been dispatched in a small skiff to sound out the depth around a reef that was in the path of their vessel when a freak wave swamped their skiff throwing the two men into the sea.

WWII VICTIMS REPATRIATED

IN a solemn ceremony at the weekend, the Solomon Islands farewelled the remains of several US soldiers who had died on Guadalcanal during World War II. In the repatriation ceremony in Honiara, the minister of foreign affairs and external trade, Milner Tozaka, handed the remains to the PNG-based US Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Walter North. Mr North said he was humbled and honoured to pay respect to his fellow countrymen who had put their nation’s needs above their lives and who had died far from home, RNZI reports.

ANTI-KAVA MOVES

A SENATOR in Australia’s Northern Territory says while he accepts people from the outside want to practice their culture in Australia, it should not harm indigenous Australians, RNZI reports. Nigel Scullions statement comes after Pacific Islanders in Australia expressed frustration at the push for a ban on kava.’ An existing limit of 2kg kava which can be brought into Australia may be abolished. A church minister in the Northern Territory, ‘Aisea Moala, says kava has important ceremonial value in Pacific culture and a ban would penalise the entire Pacific community. But Mr Scullion says the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is his priority.

CEDAW SUPPORT

TONGA is preparing to finally ratify the UN convention on eliminating all forms of discrimination against women but with conditions. Tonga is one of only seven nations which haven’t signed CEDAW. The chief executive of internal affairs Lopeti Senituli says a submission to sign the convention will be presented to cabinet by next week. Mr Senituli says it has taken two years to work on reservations that the country has to CEDAW.

MR MINGGUM Northern Territory

“Confronting the challenges of WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) in PNG”, and the implementation of the new WASH Policy will be held as follows:

FEBRUARY 27-FEBRUARY 28

CAULFIELD SATURDAY

Weather: Overcast.

Track: Good (3).

Rail: Is out 6m for the entire circuit.

FORM GUIDE: Page 2 of turf lift-out

GEAR CHANGES

RACE 1: (5) Armada tongue-tie on first time; (7) Onerous winkers on first time; (8) Schneller visor off first time, winkers on again RACE 2: (3) Girl Guide blinkers on first time RACE 3: (4)

Thinking Of You tongue-tie on first time; (11) Finda Fitter Filly blinkers off first time RACE 5: (3) Bull Point winkers on first time;

(6) Guest Of Honour blinkers on first time, winkers off first time;

(7) Driefontein blinkers off again RACE 7: (9) A Time For Julia winkers off again; (14) Under The Louvre blinkers on first time, winkers off first time; (18) Nostradamus blinkers off first time, winkers on again RACE 8: (3) Prompt Return winkers on first time; (5) Sampeah, (6) Bantam blinkers on first time; (9) Thurlow blinkers off first time, visor on first time; (10) Flamboyant Lass blinkers off again; (12) Claudia Jean blinkers on first time, winkers off first time RACE 9: (8) Escado winkers on again

Caulfield

Ruby Race 4: Minnesinger, Firehouse Rock, Magicool

Race 5: Dissident, Entirely Platinum, Driefontein Race 6: Happy Trails, Spillway, Protectonist Race 7: Atmospherical, Vain Queen, Iconic Race 8: Fontiton, Pride Of Dubai, Claudia Jean Race 9: Big Memory, Index Linked, Chester Road

Our staple food

LEFT and right: Aina Davis operating a Yanmar rice harvester at Gabmatzung rice farm, near

PAPUA New Guineans love rice! It’s no wonder we spend around K300K500 million a year importing it. Since the arrival of the famous Trukai Rice more than four decades ago, PNG still continues to eat more rice than it can grow. And why is that?

“I think in the long run, Trukai Industries in PNG can be able to outsource the millions it spends on importing rice into the country annually,” says 28-year-old Aina Davis, who is the Trukai Industries rice production breeding officer. Davis says if the project she is embarking on becomes successful, the question of PNG being able to grow its own rice can be achieved. This will give PNG the tag of rice eaters as well rice growers.

Davis currently manages a 20ha rice seed production farm leased from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, in Lae, Morobe Province. And with the current project under her helm in its first stages of seed production, Davis believes the quality seed scheme project can provide farmers pure and quality seed to propagate and achieve high yielding.

“Rice is a versatile crop to PNG climate and given the success of the current project then this should be the way forward for Trukai Rice farming in PNG.”

Davis says the main setback is restrictions faced by farmers but with adequate knowledge, as well as establishing rice markets for farmers, PNG can sustain rice production.

In October 2014, Davis had the privilege to attend a rice training run by the International Rice Research Institute in India.

The skill boosting training was to put into perspective how seed

purity of rice can be maintained through a stringent field nursery management.

The training has been critical to Davis’s changed role in the rice project team, with a promotion to her new role as rice production/ breeding officer.

“The India trip, and working for Trukai, has given me the opportunity to develop my skills, knowledge and technical expertise in rice. My long term goal is to become a national rice breeder.

“I am very positive my dream will come true, through my employment with Trukai Industries,” she stated.

Trukai Rice development officer Humphrey Saese said: “Unlike other more established commodities, rice is a very challenging crop. It only takes four months to grow but a lot must happen within this time for farmers to reap benefits.

“The right seeds must be selected, the land, control of weeds, pests and the crop must be harvested at the correct moisture. To ensure this happens, people working on this crop must have sound knowledge and management expertise.”

He adds that for rice to develop into a sustainable crop, it is critical for local experts to be trained in all aspects of rice growing.

“When it comes to supporting home grown talents, you can never go past Trukai Industries Ltd – a company with 45 years of investment and commitment to human resource development in terms of sponsorship support in sports, training of its own staff and direct sponsorship support through the offer of scholarship to young scholars at the University of Technology,” said Mr Saese.

sponsorship

port focuses on covering research grants and stipends for the top 5 per cent of the best student graduates who focus their research on rice production.

One such person was Aina Davis, a young woman from Liak village in Milne Bay Province. Davis started her education at Liak Primary School and went on to Misima High School, where she completed Grade 10. She continued her secondary education at Cameron Secondary School in Alotau before securing a place to study science in agriculture at the PNG University of Technology.

Davis completed her final year in 2013 and was offered a postgraduate scholarship by Trukai Industries. She graduated with a post-graduate diploma in April 2014 and went straight to join Trukai Industries’ rice projects team as a rice training officer.

Trukai Industries chief executive officer, Greg Worthington-Eyre said: “Trukai is more than rice. It’s about people, communities and the environment we live in. When it comes to our employees, it’s about picking the right people and grooming them to realise their (career) dreams. We can wholeheartedly place the success of our business to the people we employ, train and develop.

“This commitment to developing the human resources covers the entire operation in our business starting from farming, processing, distribution and marketing.

“In our endeavour to support the development of rice in PNG we are charting the path that will ensure the development of national rice experts. A commitment we have no hesitation in delivering to Papua New Guineans.”

Source: web.duke.edu

FRANKIY KAPIN introduces to us a determined young woman who aspires to make PNG a rice-growing country. “I am very positive my dream will come true,” she tells him.

Nadzab, Morobe Province

TOP: Ms Davis (fifth left) during a group photo at Baranas Hindu University

BOTTOM: Starting in 2500 BC, rice has been a source of food for people. Rice production originated in China

Education is life. A community at a Central Province village has been without a proper school since 1986. Thanks to the efforts of a few likeminded individuals, that will no longer be a problem.

EDUCATION as we all know is the foundation and key to success.

Unfortunately, a local community called Tubu, located in the wider Nara village of Kairuku-Hiri district, Central Province, has been without a proper school for more than 20 years.

Tubu Community School was destroyed by fire in 1986 and was never rebuilt. Some of the community members were sending their children to schools in other areas, which were located miles away, while some never saw their children through to school.

Recently, a senior judge and board chairman of Cheshire disAbility Services, Justice Stephen Kassman, who is from the Tubu community, mobilised his siblings, friends and development partners to address the issue.

Justice Kassman said: “So long as children have a trained teacher and are learning inside a semipermanent classroom, that is the foundation to a bigger dream”.

For a start, the community built a concrete foundation complemented with a bush material shade, which the children are currently using. Justice Kassman said it

wasn’t hard to get the people to do the work. “They were all willing and eager to see a school built for the future of the community,” he said.

“Now the children have a temporary classroom, a shade made of bush material, a trained young female teacher who is assisted by another young man whom she is mentoring.”

Cheshire disAbility Services general manager, Benard Ayieko said the development of the school came in time with Cheshire’s progressive expansion into Central, Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.

“When Tubu came in to the picture, Cheshire was encouraged by the community’s willingness. Land was readily donated; they took the initiative in raising funds, complemented by manpower and community mobilisation, which saw the foundation set in place,” he said.

“From the development of the Tubu project, Cheshire will use its strategic plan as a model to be replicated into other parts of Central province.”

Cheshire disAbility Services facilitated a workshop in August 2014.

Community and representatives from the provincial and national governments were encouraged to break down the main challenges surrounding the key development areas and establish a work plan.

End of January this year, a final workshop for the development of Tubu community strategic plan was again conducted in Port Moresby.

Mr Ayieko said the established work plan would be developed into a comprehensive development strategic plan which will be presented to the wider community and then be launched in the second quarter of the year.

During the final planning workshop, Justice Kassman called on the community to build a semipermanent double classroom as soon as possible as they await the building of the permanent classrooms later in the year.

“We have timber and other materials, all we need is iron roofing so that when it rains children still go to school,” he said.

“When you return home, I want you all to start working; saw the timber, prepare materials and get the classroom up.”

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

THE king ordered his courtiers and attendants to get ready. Pretty soon they were on their way to Count Piro’s castle. Ahead of them ran the fox. When he came to the castle of the ogre himself, he ran up the steps, with tears falling from his eyes, and crying: “Oh, you poor, poor people, what a sad fate is yours!

“What has happened?” asked the ogre, trembling with fright. “Do you see that troop of horsemen who are riding along the road? They are sent by the king to kill you!”

“Oh, dear little fox, help us, we implore you!” cried the ogre and his wife.

“Well, I will do what I can,” answered the fox. “The best place is for you both to hide in the big oven, and when the soldiers have gone by I will let you out.”

The ogre and ogress scrambled into the oven as quick as thought and the fox banged the door on them; just as he did so the king came up.

“Do us the honour to dismount, your Majesty,” said the fox, bowing low. “This is the palace of Count Piro!”

“Why it is more splendid than my own!” exclaimed the king, looking round on all the beautiful things that filled the hall. “But why are there no servants?”

“His Excellency the Count Piro wished the princess to choose them for herself,” answered the fox, and the king nodded his approval. He then rode on, leaving the bridal pair in the castle. But when it was dark and all was still, the fox crept downstairs and lit the kitchen fire, and the ogre and his wife were burned to death.

The next morning the fox said to Count Piro: “Now that you are rich and happy, you have no more need of me; but, before I go, there is one thing I must ask of you in return: when I die, promise me that you will give

me a magnificent coffin, and bury me with due honours.”

“Oh, little, little fox, don’t talk of dying,” cried the princess, nearly weeping, for she had taken a great liking to the fox.

After some time the fox thought he would see if the Count Piro was really grateful to him for all he had done, and went back to the castle, where he lay down on the door-step, and pretended to be dead.

The princess was just going out for a walk, and when she saw him lying there, she burst into tears and fell on her knees beside him.

“My dear little fox, you are not dead,” she wailed; “you poor, poor little creature, you shall have the finest coffin in

Childre n’s Bedtime Stories Children’s Stories T he C ou nt P i r o The Count Piro Learning

the world!”

“A coffin for an animal?” said Count Piro. “What nonsense! Just take him by the leg and throw him into the ditch.”

Then the fox sprang up and cried: “You wretched, thankless beggar; have you forgotten that you owe all your riches to me?”

Count Piro was frightened when he heard these words, as he thought that perhaps the fox might have power to take away the castle, and leave him as poor as when he had nothing to eat but the pears off his tree.

So he tried to soften the fox’s anger, saying that he had only spoken in joke, as he had known quite well that he was not really dead.

For the sake of the princess, the fox let himself be softened, and he lived in the castle for many years, and played with Count Piro’s children. And when he actually did die, his coffin was made of silver, and Count Piro and his wife followed him to the grave.

Customary Obligations by the Tubu Community during a cheque presentation by Central Governor Kila Haoda (eighth right, back row)

Leaders, powers

through one of the most turbulent political crisis since the Sandline Affair. The political impasse had dramatic effects on the bureaucracy and the nation as a whole.

The power politics was marshalled around shifting alliances and the numbers game as a result of splits and cracks among key coalition parties of the Somare government.

which derived its legitimacy from the armed force in 2006.

POLITICAL scientists are often interested on how a regime gains legitimate rule and then sometimes loses faith in its right to rule. This includes Government leadership and its relationship to the distribution of powers among the different levels of government.

The distribution of powers is one of the most significant reasons why the founding fathers of the United States adopted a federal system in 1776. They strongly emphasised on the power to govern, it must be shared between the national and state level.

The Westminster system of government entails separation of powers in the three arms of government namely, legislature, executive and judiciary. The Westminster system is a unitary/bicameral system. Originally the provincial government is not in the design of the Westminster system, which is a centrally-controlled government between the national and local level governments. In PNG it was

created through the Organic Law on provincial governments in 1975 as a result of Bougainville’s secessionist movements to break away from PNG. Therefore PNG currently adopts a neo-quasi system (between democracy and federal government).

From this perspective, the power politics of PNG is described in two forms. The first functions around a vibrant democracy at a time where there is effective parliamentary debate, a majority government and a strong opposition. A vibrant democracy shows political stability in especially the arc of government (the executive), which instils confidence in the bureaucracy. This is vitally important to the progress of PNG democracy.

The second is the unceremonious overthrow of a constitutionally recognised government. Throughout PNG’s political history, vote of no-confidences led to the constant change of government on the floor of Parliament. In 2011, PNG went

This type of power politics is not based on a “leadership of leaders” but a leadership attracting followers who in the long run cannot provide stability in a coalition. Leaders who develop followers grow their coalition or political parties “only one person at a time”, but leaders who raise up other leaders multiply their strength, which has a positive impact on the growth of a nation because everything rises and falls on leadership.

In other words, the abuse of power changes the heart of man when man simply refuses to give over leadership. This is why so many dictatorships and most corrupt governments have failed to exist longer than originally expected.

In comparison, Fiji is one of very few nations in the South Pacific that has seen a number of coups but continues to hold onto democracy, though critics argue of a guided democracy even when elections took place on September 17, 2014. The Fijian military coup was not a military dictatorship but one

Amid international pressure of a return to peaceful democratic transitions, Fiji went through a revolution with a new constitution to replace three previous constitutions, a reformed electoral system in what it believed to be a true democracy in the country. From the time the revolution began in 2006 to its elections last year, Fiji has embarked on a series of reformation that it believes will transform the nation.

The point here is throughout history, the overthrow of governments became popular because governments simply did not know how to positively use their authority to maintain trust and confidence. Instead, their abuse of power led to a much more brutish style of leadership. Failure to deliver government policies, gross corruption and government management, political instability and a recession crisis, among other factors, can lead to a dramatic change in leadership.

Hence being in government power does not necessarily mean that the Government of the day’s decision is always right. That is why a country needs a strong Opposition in parliament to keep the balance of power and accountability checked.

There are times government decisions may go against the wishes of the majority, against the intents of

the Constitution, misunderstood and criticised in order bring about the best outcomes. But it is corrected when government responds positively to its actions transparently and acts accordingly to rectify it.

That is why it is highly a sensitive issue when decisions override the purpose of a Constitution; as the Constitution of PNG is the overall governing body of the Government. Underneath the Constitution is the Government, the public service and its people.

Finally there is a real need to begin a new era of unity and change in PNG. Not everyone in the world will understand what PNG is trying to do if it determines to change the way government works to serve its people, where the exercise of leadership and rightful authority is concerned.

Because some may try to destroy it with sanctions, some would try to degrade the quality of governance because the country would refuse to accept their perspective and high-handed approach to PNG. The fact of the matter is Government must simply work for the people and not for itself!

Leadership must highly reflect national unity and the character of Government. The distribution of powers at all levels of government must be for the benefit of all its citizens, no matter who they are, where they come from or who they voted for.

Members of Parliament at the first parliament sitting at the beginning of this month

Picture: MARK TALIA

Leaders who develop followers grow their coalition or political parties “only one person at a time”, but leaders who raise up other leaders multiply their strength, says EDWARD PULAGIS

Mighty mites

Wena Wena

BY ROB DUNN

SEVERAL years ago I made a bet about face mites, animals that live in hair follicles.

They are so small that a dozen of them could dance on the head of a pin. They are more likely, though, to dance on your face, which they do at night when they mate, before crawling back into your follicles by day to eat.

In those caves mother mites give birth to a few relatively large mite-shaped eggs. The eggs hatch, and then, like all mites, the babies go through molts in which they shed their external skeleton and emerge slightly larger. Once they’re full size, their entire adult life lasts only a few weeks. Death comes at the precise moment when the mites, lacking an anus, fill up with faeces, die, and decompose on your head.

Currently two species of face mites are known; at least one of them appear to be present on all adult humans. My bet was that even a modest sampling of adults would turn up more species of these mites, ones that are totally new to science.

Biologists often make bets; they call them predictions to sound fancier. My bet was based on an understanding of the tendencies of evolution and of humans.

Evolution tends to engender its greatest richness in small forms. Humans, on the other hand, tend to ignore small things.

Aquatic mites, for example, live in most lakes, ponds, and even puddles, often in densities of hundreds or thousands per cubic meter. They can even be found in drinking water, yet few people have ever

heard of aquatic mites, including, until recently, me. And I study tiny things for a living.

Mites also live in dust, where they have found unwelcome fame by eating the bits of dead skin that trail behind us everyplace we go. Some of the real monsters of the mite world live in soil, where one can find predatory mites armed with a medieval arsenal of mouthparts. Some have jaws with sharklike teeth; others bear smooth blades that snap together with tremendous force; still others stab with sharp and deadly sabers. These beasts stalk the tunnels of worms and the tiny holes between grains of sand.

Other mites live in rain forest canopies, on leaves and in the soil that accumulates in the nooks and crannies where branches meet trunks, and in the cups of epiphytic plants.

Even some of our food is mity. The flavour of Mimolette cheese comes from their tunnelling, eating, excreting, and coupling. In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that mites alter the world. They can make soil turn over faster or slower, decomposition speed up or slow down, crops grow sick or healthy. Their little limbs punch far above their weight.

Just how many species of mites exist in the world today is not well understood. Probably at least a million, but no one knows enough to say with confidence, nor will anyone know for decades.

Museum collections are filled with mite species no one has yet had a chance to study. Some undoubtedly offer fascinating evolutionary stories. Others eat herbivorous insects and could benefit agriculture or medicine. Still others may be

vectors for deadly pathogens. Another reason for my bet: Mites are specialists that occupy every conceivable niche, including the trachea of bees, the shafts of feathers, the anuses of turtles, the stink glands of bugs, the digestive systems of sea urchins, the lungs of snakes, the fat of pigeons, the eyeballs of fruit bats, the fur around vampire bat penises. Living in these habitats necessitates special hairs, chemicals, foot pads, mouthparts, and tricks. It requires a way to get from one patch of good habitat to the next.

Given such diversity and specialisation, it’s easy to imagine that a roomful of people (think of all the habitats!) would be fertile ground for discovering mites. Recently some collaborators and I gathered a group of folks and asked them to sample their own skin. After some swabbing, poking, and DNA sequencing, we found mites on every adult we sampled, including one species new to science that seems to live mainly on people of Asian descent. Think of it: A mite that probably lives on millions of humans, maybe even billions, and yet it was totally unknown until that moment. I was thrilled.

How did mite systematists – scientists who name new species – respond? A few were excited; the rest shrugged. They knew that my bet for mite diversity was an easy one, a fact of life they witness every time they examine a scoop of soil, peer into moss, or swab a friend. In fact, one need look no farther than the mites pictured in this article, most of which are unnamed species. In all likelihood they will long remain that way, mysteries in plain view, like most of life.

TWELVE-week-old Wena is cute and enjoys cuddles.

She also enjoys playing with stuffed toys. She and her sibling, Hipa, were surrendered to our clinic in January. Both have been de-wormed and vaccinated.

If you have space in your family for one more loyal and loving member, contact the RSPCA on 325 2363, 7198 2200, 7196 0436 or email your interest or enquiries to rspca@rspca.org.pg

Please note that all our furry friends on our adoption program are de-wormed, vaccinated and will be neutered before joining their new families.

325 2363, 7196 0436, 7198 2200, fax: 325 6833 or email your enquiries to rspca@rspca. org.pg

Dust mites thrive in warm humid conditions where their population explodes. Unfortunately for humans, the beds in which we sleep are warm and humid places year round. Mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric, furniture and stuffed toys. They like to burrow into fabric to escape light Picture: Busy Bee Pest Control Inc

They hide in your bed and breed on your face. They’re smaller than a period at the end of a sentence

Picture: MARTIN OEGGERLIES

Training to become a seamen

THE Pacific Maritime Training College (PMTC) was set up in 2008 with the mission to train educated men and women to serve the maritime industry as seamen deck and engine ratings to serve in the national shipping industry of PNG.

In addition, PMTC aims to provide lifelong career learning skills opportunity for professionals serving in the maritime industry to serve PNG and further promote PNG’s maritime interests in the Pacific region.

The PMTC specifically provides affordable short-course seamanship training for seamen deck and engine ratings.

While it is a legally incorporated training entity with the Investment Promotion Authority since its inception nearly seven years ago, the PMTC has fully complied with the requirements to be a maritime private training provider in accordance with the National Maritime Safety Authority Act.

In 2009, the Training College was recognised and granted approval by the National Training Council.

At PMTC, the maritime training pro-

grams are aimed for general capacity building and sea-going skills training development. The PMTC is contributing to a part of a sea-going tradition PNG has had.

The school’s brief history as a private maritime training school stems from a humble vision of adequately fi lling a big missing gap within PNG’s maritime industry.

Today’s training centre is envisaged to expand in future into a well-respected, world recognised regional maritime training school and hopes to keep pace with a growing maritime industry in PNG and the Pacific.The college also offers limited accommodation and has its own messing facilities for some of its students.

According to Training Advisor of PMTC, it is basic training for seafarers that is taught at PMTC.

“Training at this maritime facility covers the overall basics for shipping and seafaring, and includes fi rst aid as well as techniques on addressing piracy at sea,” the training advisor said.

CONTINUED PAGE 57

Post-Courier incorrectly published two (2) Full Page advertisements on its 37 and 38 of the Wednesday February 25 58 and 59

We sincerely apologise to the Department of Community Development for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

NATIONAL JUDICIAL STAFF SERVICE

Judicial Staff Service is inviting qualified and interested applicants to apply for the Position of Private Secretary to a Judge based at National Court Waigani.

The Applicant

personal attributes.

All applications should be lodged no later than 4:06pm, Friday 6th March, 2015 and addressed to:

The Secretary National Judicial Staff Service

P O Box 7018 BOROKO

National Capital District

Attention:

TOP: Raft demonstration; top right: trainer and students on deck; above in classroom session.

To book your job advertisement

in Painim

Wok PNG , contact Classi fied Sales on the above emails.

To submit editorial or a feature relating to careers, jobs, staff development and graduate programs or profiles of career people, call 309 1107 or email: kialaw@spp.com.pg

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER – NADZAB AIRPORT AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER-HAGEN AIRPORT

The National Airports Corporation is currently seeking to employ qualified and suitable persons to perform the duties and responsibilities of the Airport Operations Manager in Nazab (Lae) Airport and in Kagamuga (Hagen) Airport. Both positions reports directly to the General Manager Regional Airports.

The person NAC seeks must meet the following minimum criteria:

NATIONAL MUSEUM ART GALLERY (NMAG)

The Museum is seeking applications for the following positions:

Exhibition Support Officers x 6 – Port Moresby Office

The Exhibition Support officers will have primary responsibility for preparing, collecting, organising, and compiling accurate information about various works of art on display in the museum for the “Built on Culture” Exhibition.

These positions at NMAG are supported by the Australian Government.

• Prepare and organise exhibition spaces as required.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Move work of art and museum objects to exhibition displays in a timely manner.

• Record and compile accurate collection reports as required.

• Record and compile accurate digitization of objects as required.

• Prepare accurate collection reports as required.

• Be able to speak and provide information about various works of art on display as and when required.

• Any other duties assigned by the Supervisor.

How to Apply:

The Human Resource Manager National Airports Corporation P O Box 684 Boroko, NCD

Completed applications can be emailed to recruitment@nac.com.pg

Remuneration:

Closing Date:

Enquiries com.pg

Note:

Authorized by: Joseph Tupiri

The successful candidates must have a related qualification in art, anthropology, archaeology or associated areas of art.

For further information and terms of reference of these positions, please contact Esther Fuapla on telephone number: 323 5643.

Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter identifying applicants strengths and experience for the position and addressed to:

• Email: esther.fuapla@spsnpng.com

• Or post your application to SPSN HR, PO Box 279, Waigani, National Capital District

• Or fax on 323 0520 (only if email is not working)

• Or hand deliver applications to SPSN office, Century 21 House, Level 1, Kunai Street, Hohola.

Applications close 4.30pm 05th March, 2015 (Only short listed candidates will be contacted)

These positions are advertised by Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen (SPSN) on behalf the National Museum Art Gallery.

PNG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The department offers a four-year undergraduate degree and a graduate masters program in Mechanical Engineering. The department has 15 faculty members, 13 technical staff and 3 administrative support staff. There are several laboratories in mechanics, materials, thermodynamics for students’ laboratory work and research along with a medium size workshop with facilities in machining, computer numerical control (CNC), EDM, grinding, casting and welding. The department also has an NDT Center for research and consultancy service to industry. There are several research projects in the areas of manufacturing, materials development, NDT, biofuel, engineering education and renewable energy.

Laboratory Manager

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a laboratory manager to provide long-term consistent, professional support of its undergraduate and graduate instructional laboratories (Engineering Experimentation, Engineering Materials, Dynamics of Machines & Vibrations, Thermal Sciences, Mechatronics and Measurement Systems). The Lab manager reports to the Head of Department and will collaborate with faculty for proper management of undergraduate laboratories.

The Laboratory manager is required to work with faculty to provide Mechanical Engineering students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, with necessary academic and research support. The department has 10 faculty and 2 technical instructors and offers BSME degree along with Master and Doctoral programs.

The successful applicant will be required to:

• Manage laboratories for academic and research activities;

• In conjunction with faculty, develop instructional objectives and effectiveness of experimental activities;

• Supervise laboratory staff and provide necessary training for effective operations of laboratories;

• Upgrade Mechanical Engineering laboratories to standards suitable for accreditation;

• Provide instructions in OHS.

Job Requirements:

The minimum qualifications required for this position are:

• M.Sc in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline;

• Minimum five years relevant industry/academic experience in managing an instrumentation-related laboratory (metrology, structures, materials, robotics, air-conditioning & refrigeration etc);

• Extensive knowledge of MATLAB, Labview and solid modeling software;

• Experience with normal office software (spreadsheets, email, word processing etc.);

• Experience with data loggers, sensors (acquisitions, installation, application, calibration, recording), controls, experimental methods, statistical data processing, data storage and transfer, and experimental techniques;

• Experience managing personnel, including laboratory technicians;

• Demonstrated ability to set and meet deliverables, including preparation of a detailed plan, timeline and materials list.

NON CITIZEN SALARY

Base Salary Range: Laboratory Manager K39,563 – K48,356 per annum

IMA Range: K52,436 – K63,039 per annum (Level of appointment depends upon qualification and experience)

Initial contract period is normally for three years but shorter periods can be negotiated. Other benefits include a gratuity of 30% of salary in the first year, 35% in the second year and 40% in the third year (paid on fortnightly basis), support for approved research, appointment and repatriation fares for yourself and dependants, settling-in/out allowance of K1,700.00 for single & K3,600.00 for accompanied plus K200.00 each for two authorized dependent child (under 19 yrs) on appointment and repatriation, six weeks paid leave per year, recreation leave fares for yourself, spouse & two authorised dependants after 18 months of service, education fares and assistance towards school fees for authorised dependants are available. Staff members are also permitted to earn from consultancy up to 50% of earnings annually. Free fully furnished accommodation provided on campus.

Detailed applications (two copies) with curriculum vitae including certified copies of qualifications, names and addresses, fax/phone numbers of three (3) referees and an indication of the earliest availability to take up the appointment should be received by: The Registrar, PNG University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Fax: 675 475 7667, E-mail: <recruitment@admin. unitech.ac.pg by 28 February 2015. Applications by airmail is encouraged.

UN Women PNG Office is recruiting a suitably qualified and experienced PNG citizen for the senior position of

OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Administration and implementation of operational support services

2. Budgetary and financial administration support

3. Human Resources Management services support

4. Procurement and Logistical services support

5. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Recruitment Qualifications

1. Secondary Education. University Degree in Business, Administration or Finance, would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

2. Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, procurement, human resources or logistic support services at the national or international level.

3. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

4. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of official national language essential.

For the complete vacancy details, please visit our website http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs or contact the UN Women PNG Country Office, 3219855 Level 4, United Church Building, Douglas Street, Port Moresby

Closing date : 01st March 2015

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position with the University:

VICE CHANCELLOR’S DEPARTMENT

Assistant Internal Auditor (Assistant Accountant)

The duties and responsibilities of this position are:

- assist in developing audit programs for system audits, in reviewing administrative operation procedures and in assessing the adequacy & effectiveness of internal controls and compliance with the University policy.

- assist in preparing working papers, draft reports & correspondences and make recommendations arising from audit reports.

- act as Internal Auditor when necessary and attend to other duties as required.

The candidate must have a University degree in Accounting or related discipline and be a member of a recognized professional body. Candidate must have three (3) or more years of relevant experience in internal auditing. He/She should possess the ability to communicate effectively, and ability to apply Accounting & Auditing standards and modern auditing techniques preferably with significant practical experience. The candidate should be matured, able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, flexible with adaptable approach to problems, trustworthy, responsible, high standard of oral and written communication skills, computer literate, diligent, meticulous and impartial.

Director- PRU (Senior Assistant Registrar)

This position is to effectively market and position the university’s image through planned and sustained publicity through advice and management of all media and public relations issues for the university. The duties and responsibilities of this position are:

- ensure the timely production of the University official publications.

- coordinate the Huon Seminar, initiate and facilitate activities of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology Alumni Office.

- assist in arrangements of other activities or ceremonies that involves the marketing of the university’s image such as independence celebrations, Open Day, Morobe Show and etc.

- assist and take lead in organizing important events that involves the university.

- ensure that information that goes out in the media about the university is fair and vetted by the Vice Chancellor.

- ensure that important visitors (partners) of the university are accorded proper reception and protocol.

- attend to other duties as required and directed by the Vice Chancellor.

The candidate must have a University degree in Journalism and in management role, must have 5 years or more relevant experience in a similar environment. He/She should take initiative, creative, have leadership skills, sound knowledge of public relations, media activities and be familiar with protocols. The candidate must be matured, able to meet deadlines and work under pressure, flexible and adaptable approach to problems, trustworthy and be responsible, high standard of oral and written communication skills, computer literate with application of various publication softwares.

BURSARY DEPARTMENT

Financial Accountant

The Financial Accountant is a Senior Middle Managers in the Bursary and the University and is responsible to:

- assists the Bursar to prepare and submit financial statements in accordance with the GAAP and the governing laws and regulations of the country

- plan, organize and allocate work to all staff in the data entry and project divisions in the Income, Expenditure and Services sections including receipting, reconciliation and banking of all University income

- monitor all cheque payments and undertake periodic review of the accounting procedures and practices to maintain efficiency and relevance of purpose.

- ensure regular income and expenditure reports are provided on a timely basis to the Deputy Bursar and Bursar for quarterly, half yearly and annual reports.

- supervise and monitor daily cash flow and Bank Balances. The candidate must possess a University Degree in Accounting with CPA membership status and have five (5) or more years relevant experience in a similar Management position. He/She must be honest, diligent and sober.

DEPARTMENT OF ESTATES AND SERVICES

Housing, Property & Grounds Manager (Snr Assistant Registrar)

The University is seeking to engage a Manager to be responsible for the following:

- providing support to the maintenance manager and project office on housing matter

- plan & implement campus landscaping

- provides up-to-date information on campus housing

- executes and implements all approved decisions made by the Housing Committee

- liaise closely with the Housing Committee Chairman on housing matters

- daily screening of all housing applications from university staff

- liaise with HR on housing for new staff & employment conditions

- liaise with Accounts office on housing purchasing, bonds & rentals

- Oversees and administer the Asset Registry for 500 plus university houses

- ensure housing maintenance under project/OHE funding is scheduled

- daily updating staff on housing problems, requests and queries

- oversee the cleaning and grounds workforce

- perform any other duties directed by HOD-Estates through Pro Vice Chancellor (Admin) from time to time.

The successful candidate must have a Degree in Architecture & Building or Property Studies or Management with preferably a postgraduate qualification, have five (5) or more years experience in similar responsibilities, he/she should have sound knowledge & skills in project and facilities management and landscaping. Must be able to lead & manage a team and firm in decision-making in up-holding rules.

Maintenance Manager (Engineer 5)

The position will co-ordinate, schedule and manage the routine maintenance of staff housing, buildings and other facilities at the Unitech, Taraka Campus and other college affiliates as may be required and as directed by the Head of Estates and Services.

Main duties: assist the Head of Estates and Services in managing the ‘Maintenance Matrix’ which involves the following;

- coordinate and supervise maintenance and improvements as required to all university facilities, including carpentry/construction/joinery, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning and refrigeration.

- carry out routine inspection and provide schedule for maintenance of existing facilities, provide scope of works and tender documents for minor works.

- undertake minor building and construction projects.

- supervise maintenance contractors.

- initiate and submit maintenance materials request for purchase.

- provide regular maintenance reports as required.

- do other duties as directed by HOD.

- prepare maintenance budget submission for the Bursar and operate within authorized funding level.

- supervise trade staff, recommend employment/dismissal to the Registrar.

The candidate must possess a degree qualification from a recognized institution in the appropriate field together with a post certificate qualification in management (man-power control and purchasing or related field). Should also be a member of a recognized institution appropriate to the position. Extensive experience in building and associated industries with a minimum of 8 years of relevant trade experience and experience in similar organizations would be an advantage. More so, experience of at least 6 years in a similar position is required. Mature and able to assist and supervise highly technical jobs. Team player and able to develop and maintain good working relationship between staff, students and clients. Take initiative, motivate, organize and develop training programs. Fit and in good health, Trustworthy and be responsible and High standard of oral and written communication skills

FIRE AND SECURITY SERVICES

Chief Security Officer (Assistant Registrar)

The duties and responsibilities of this position are:

- prepare duty rosters for security shifts.

- ensure that effective systems are in operation with constant communication between senior security staff and shift supervisors.

- ensure that patrolmen receive clear instructions and are given sufficient guidance to undertake the work required of them.

- supervise Shift supervisors and patrolmen and advice the Pro VC (Admin) on the appointment, promotion and termination of security staff.

- liaise with police and other authorities providing related essential services.

- report at least weekly to the Pro VC (Admin) on campus security, recommending changes in security measures where necessary.

- monitor the use of security vehicles, ensure that security vehicles are serviced regularly and repaired if required and monitor the effectiveness of all security equipment.

- a ct as patrolman, as necessary to ensure adequate security cover for the university staff and property.

- undertake other functions assigned by the Pro VC (Admin) such as preparing special reports on aspects of security.

- assist in security protocols for VIPs.

The candidate must have a University degree or equivalent in Management. Candidates without such must have relevant and supporting evidence of appropriate skills to compensate for such lack. He/She must have two (2) or more years relevant administrative experiences and have demonstrated clearly his/her administrative and leadership potential in the area of managerial tasks associated with this level of appointment. Must be mature & cooperative, able to develop and maintain good relationship with staff, students and surrounding communities. Must be fit and healthy, have integrity, honesty with high level of discipline. Police background is essential.

SALARY:

Senior Assistant Registrar K36,803.00 to K44,981.00 plus DMA of K3,500.00 to K5,500.00 per annum

Accountant K36,803.00 to K44,981.00 plus DMA of K3,500.00 to K5,500.00 per annum

Assistant Registrar K27,828.00 to K39,114.00 per annum

Assistant Accountant K27,828.00 to K39,114.00 plus DMA of K1,500.00 per annum Engineer 5 K36,803.00 to K44,981.00 plus DMA of K3,500.00 to K5,500.00 per annum

Applications are also invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions with this University:

For Job Descriptions on the positions in the table above, email: kyagi@admin.unitech.ac.pg

(Level of appointment depends upon qualification and experience)

Application with curriculum vitae including certified copies of qualifications, names and addresses including email addresses, fax/phone numbers of three (3) referees including one from past/present employer, if any, and an indication of the earliest availability to take up the appointment should be received by: The Registrar, PNG University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, Lae, Papua New Guinea by 20 MARCH 2015. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED

UN Women PNG Office is recruiting a suitably qualified and experienced PNG citizen for the senior position of

PROGRAMME FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Administration and implementation of program and operational financial services

2. Support to management of the country program, budget preparation and administration

3. Accounting and administrative support

4. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Recruitment Qualifications

1. Bachelor degree in accounting or Secondary Education with specialized national or international certification in accounting or finance.

2. Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience is required in financial management and administration, in a large corporation or organization is required.

3. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

4. Written and oral proficiency in English.

For the complete vacancy details, please visit our website http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs or contact the UN Women PNG Country Office, 3219855 Level 4, United Church Building, Douglas Street, Port Moresby Closing date : 28 February 2015

Candidates responding to the earlier announcement will be considered and need not re-apply

Head of Retail - Papua New Guinea

Welcome to your world of opportunity.

ANZ realises that our greatest asset is our people. We are vibrant professionals on a journey to create a super regional bank that aims to be the best connected and most respected bank in the Asia Pacific region. ANZ is currently connected across 32 countries and provides world class learning opportunities and compelling career pathways for its people.

We’re exploring new and better ways to progress the business with energy and enthusiasm. Backed by a proud and established heritage, we’re on a journey creating a super regional bank. Connected by integrity and clarity of strategy, there is a real sense of excitement about the future.

As an employer of choice, ANZ has the following role available;

Head of Retail, Papua New Guinea

Location: Harbour City Office, Port Moresby | Job Number: PAP000125

The purpose of this role is:

To develop, communicate and execute the Retail strategy in PNG to achieve business growth for the country - as measured by clients, FUM, Revenues, expenses, provisions & NPAT.

To manage Sales and Distribution, Product Management, Marketing initiatives & assurance functions. Develop and implement a sales plan for Retail initiatives and providing leadership to the Retail team to drive sales and Revenue performance.

Build and embed processes for Retail with the highest standards of risk, compliance and governance

Be a role model leader who maintains the discipline & integrity of managing the business, driving productivity and maximising ANZ’s market share by developing, empowering and coaching the team.

To manage direct and matrix Retail teams and contribute to the effectiveness of our business matrix environment.

To drive the strengthening of Retail client relationships and support segment development (Affluent, Emerging Affluent and Mass Market segments) in-country through effectively targeted products, channels, sales capability, segmentation, technology solutions, marketing and team engagement;

To foster close ties with internal stakeholders and business partners, including the APEA Retail team, Australia and New Zealand teams, Private Banking, and enablement teams to promote expertise development and success sharing;

To drive development of ANZ external positioning in-country and manage external relationships to help establish ANZ as a credible industry player.

• Drive PNG Retail performance to maximise market share, profitability, revenue and FUM growth and productivity.

• Drive accountability and clear consequence management to outperform agreed business plans and targets in revenue, FUM, productivity, sales and customer terms.

• Lead the sales management culture across the Region.

• Pursue initiatives that will improve customer experience and improve efficiencies.

• Increase customer satisfaction and growth in accordance with franchise plan.

• Ensure the health and safety of all customers.

• Develop and execute plans to increase market share and share of wallet in the Affluent and Emerging Affluent segments.

• Ensure adherence to ANZ policies, processes and external regulatory and legislative requirements including sales management process.

• Customer complaint management.

• Work with GM Retail & country CEO to lead the implementation of Retail Transformation Project initiatives.

• Work with other Heads of Retail to identify and share best practice and drive efficiencies.

• Manage retail FTE in the country.

• Drive a performance culture - Build the engagement, business acumen and leadership capability of Country retail team to deliver results through people.

• Role model a culture of coaching to develop people capability.

• Workforce resourcing (select, retain, performance).

• Develop talent management, succession in place.

• Engagement, Culture, Diversity.

To be successful in the role, you should have demonstrated the following capabilities:

• Proven experience in managing a retail distribution business.

• Ability to work in a matrix reporting environment and partner with functional heads to deliver business results.

• Experience in leading a large team & & comes with a strong sales 7 distribution experience.

• Strong customer focus.

• Strong commercial acumen and demonstrated understanding of the business drivers.

• Extensive relationship management skills.

This is an opportunity to undertake a role offering exceptional opportunities for professional development with a broad range of career paths. The possibilities are endless. It’s a place where the determined can succeed, the willing can grow and together, we can prosper. We connect you to your world of opportunity.

If you have what it takes to deliver outstanding performance, please submit your applications online by Friday, 06 March 2015 to www.anz.com/about-us/careers/opportunities/

Trans Wonderland Ltd is a transport and logistics company in PNG with its Head Office in Lae, operational Branches in Lae, Hagen, Moro / Kututbu and Hides / Tari. The company operates prime-movers and provide Material Handling Equipment between Lae, Morobe and the Highlands Provinces, employing over 400 staff including expats, provides logistical support especially to the Oil and Gas fields particularly to Oil search PNG Ltd and Exxon Mobil PNG. Applications are sought from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the position of HR Manager.

Human Resources Manager

Roles & Responsibilities: and staff for each position recruitment.

managers

Employment

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Only applicants who satisfy the above requirements should forward their resume, copies of relevant certificates and references, names of three most recent referees and contact details to:

Recruitment Officer PO Box 4270, Lae, Morobe Province, PNG Or email: serah.gubag@twl.com.pg

TWL is an equal opportunity employer. Remuneration will be discussed at interview.

Applications close on the 13th of March, 2015.

At BSP, we believe it’s important to give back. We are proud to support and strengthen the communities where we live and work.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The number of individual projects in PNG from 2009 – 2013. 32 Community Projects in 2009, 35 in 2010, 36 in 2011, 29 in 2012, 33 in 2013 and 33 in 2014.

Amount in Kina (Million) BSP has invested in communities in PNG from 2009 – 2014. The bank fully funds these projects. 4.4

The number of individual significant projects delivered by our branches throughout Papua New Guinea in 2014. Four (4) of these projects were undertaken by Head Office Departments and 29 by branches.

BSP is 100% committed to the people of PNG and the Pacific. We go Beyond Banking and contribute significantly back into the communities we operate. We give back in more ways than one.

OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS TYPICALLY INCLUDE

Project handover by our Head of Security George Loverock in Bialla, West New Britain Province.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

BY OUR BRANCHES IN 2014...

AITAPE Upgrade of the NALU College basketball and volleyball courts.

ALOTAU New volleyball court and sporting items Alotau, Koeabule & Goilanai Primary School.

ARAWA Upgrade of town Basketball court & new town soccer eld grandstand.

BIALLA New basketball court at Bialla Primary School.

BOROKO Upgrade of multi court & construction of grandstand at St Peters Primary School.

BUKA Upgrade of basketball court and construction of grandstand at Hutjena.

BULOLO Upgrade of basketball & volleyball court at Sambio Primary School.

DARU Upgrade of the town basketball court.

GORDONS Construction of basketball court at Jubilee Catholic Secondary School.

GOROKA Upgrade of grandstand at Goroka rugby league eld at Lopi.

KAINANTU New town basketball & volleyball court in Kainantu.

KAVIENG Upgrade of basketball court at Carteret Community School.

KIMBE Upgrade of basketball court & grandstand at Hoskins Secondary School.

KIUNGA Upgrade of basketball court & construction of benches at Kiunga Vocational.

KOKOPO/RABAUL Renovation of the National Agriculture & Research Institute nursery.

KUNDIAWA Upgrade of the volleyball/basketball court at Kundiawa Lutheran Day High School.

LAE BRANCHES Construction of kids playground at Lae Botanical Gardens (National Forest Service).

LIHIR Upgrade of basketball court at Lihir Secondary School.

LORENGAU Construction of volleyball court for Ward 7 community.

MADANG Upgrade of basketball court, and new volleyball posts at Jomba Primary School.

MENDI Upgrade of basketball court at Mendi School of Nursing.

MT HAGEN Upgrade of basketball court at Mt Hagen Secondary School.

POPONDETTA Construction of a new basketball court at Popondetta Primary School.

PORGERA Upgrade of the Paiam basketball court.

PORT MORESBY Upgrade of 3x basketball court at De La Salle Secondary School.

TABUBIL Construction of benches for the basketball court at Wangbin village.

TARI Construction of a new basketball court at Kuluanda Primary School.

VANIMO Upgrade of Vanimo Primary School basketball court.

WABAG Upgrade of multi pupose court at Enga Nursing College.

WEWAK Sport equipment donations to Bishop Leo Sec, St Mary's Primary, Kreer Primary Schools.

INSTALLING WATER TANKS IN SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES

OR SIMPLY, LENDING A HELPING HAND WHERE WE CAN!

All our people make a personal commitment to this programme, devoting their own time during weekends, backed by all the resources of BSP. We are proud of our contributions to the communities.

- BSP CEO Robin Fleming

The year in which BSP commenced Community Projects. All branches in PNG delivered a project each after consultation with the community.

2014: community projects.

SPORTS FOCUS: community projects in 2014 are sports focused. Our usual project focus is on Health, Education, Environment/Community and Sports.

WORK IN PROGRESS

HAVING FUN AND BEING ACTIVE...

BEFORE

BSP LAE BRANCHES COMBINED PROJECT: Children enjoying the new playground at the Botanical Gardens, which was constructed by ourlated projects. Together they have renovated the only Radiotherapy Centre in PNG located at the Angau Memorial Hospital, they have renovated hospital cancer wards and also some of the major referal clinics in Lae.

OF NARI

3x BASKETBALL COURT

SPORT KITS TO BISHOP LEO SEC, ST MARY’S AND KREER PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

BASKETBALL COURT AT KULUANDA PRIMARY SCHOOL

HEAD OFFICE PROJECTS

In 2014, Head Office Departments were given funding by the bank to deliver community projects. Prior to this, only branches were involved. The four (4) community projects delivered by our head office teams are:

BSP First: Refurbishment of the Basketball and Volleyball Courts at Murray Barracks.

Finance & Corporate: Renovation of Vabukori Health Clinic & Community Hall. HR & Group Risk Management: Upgrade of the Apex Park at Boroko.

Operations: Renovation of Meri Seif Haus at Kaugere.

This new facility will assist youth in surrounding communities to use their time in meaningful activities, rather than resorting to illegal activities, especially the production and consumption of home-brew, which has been a worrying trend - a local community leader, speaking at the handover of a project.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO!

Our staff donate hundreds of hours of their own time to ensure our community projects are delivered, BSP only supports with funds and logistics.

Left: BSP First team, led by General Manager Paul Thornton handing over the new basketball and volleyball courts and balls to the PNGDF personnel at Murray Barracks.

Below: Finance & Corporate team handing over the Vabukori Health Clinic & Community Hall, which has a new coat of paint and fresh,clean look.

BSP Operations team during the handover of the renovated Meri Seif Haus at Kaugere.

BECAUSE we know that healthy lifestyles are achieved through sports and healthy choices, BSP supports activities and sports codes that are focused on helping kids lead healthy and active lifestyles.

BSP SCHOOL KRIKET:

SWIMMING:

BRAND AMBASSADORS: THESE AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.....We

JUNIOR GOLF:

Without BSP’s support all this is simply not possible. I want to thank BSP for the continued support. We are very proud to have BSP as our partner in this program and together we can be proud of our achievementGayan Loku, Cricket PNG Game Development Manager

PARALYMPICS

JUNIOR GOLF

SCHOOL KRIKET

School students during the launching of the BSP School Kriket Program. In 2014, the BSP School Kriket Program consolidated its reputation as PNG’s leading junior sports initiative with a participation base of nearly 200,000.

BSP is previleged to support nation building events such as the PNG Games held in November 2014 and the Port Moresby 2015, Paci c Games to staged in July 2015.

LET’S GO FOR GOLD, PORT MORESBY 2015

BSP is truly proud to be the O cial Sponsor o the Port Moresby 2015, Paci c Games.

Securing PNG’s leading bank as the Naming Rights Sponsor is fitting. The impact of the PNG Games will certainly be greater thanks to the partnership with BSP. - PNG Games CEO, Materua Tamarua.

Tura the Pacific Games Official Mascot has been busy travelling nationwide in 2014. BSP has been supportive of his travels to promote the Games.

The 9000+ Athletes and officials gather at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 6th BSP PNG GAMES.

TEAMS ARRIVE CELEBRATION

SPONSORSHIPS & DONATIONS

BSP supports many worthy causes and organisations that are truly making a huge difference in the lives of people in the communities we operates. We invest in things that matter.

Many organisations/charities rely on corporate sponsorships so they can help strengthen communities around PNG. BSP’s support is either through funding, in kind or just our people lending a hand: Here are some organisations we supported in 2014.

CHARITIES/ORGANISATIONS

Buk Bilong Pikinini

Operation Open Heart

Theophilus Foundation

Anglicare

Susu Mamas Ball

City Mission

Salvation Army

Port Moresby Cancer Society

Soroptomist International

Katim na Halivim Medical Project

Business & Professional Women

CONFERENCES

PNG Business Advantage

Certified Practicing Accountants

BPNG Financial Inclusion Expo

Institute of Internal Auditors

PNG Australia Business Council

Australia & PNG Mining Resource Expo

PNG Human Resource Institute

CULTURAL FESTIVALS

Kenu & Kundu Festival

Goroka Show

Morobe Agricultural Show

Sepik Crocodile Festival

Wawagira & Mask Festival

Bulolo Show

Rabaul Frangipani Festival

The BSP - BbP Partnership:

Partnership commenced in 2013 BSP will sponsor seven (7) libraries. 1000s of children have been reached.

Although this may seem like an impossible task, BbP believes we can make this happen one library at a time, with BSP's, the communities, and everyone's support - BbP co-founder Anne-Sophie Hermann

The Institute of Internal Auditors PNG Chapter

BSP CEO Robin Fleming has a casual moment with students at the BbP library in Lorengau as BbP co-founder Anne-Sophie Hermann looks on.

LITTERING is a great concern and BSP has taken it upon itself to teach children the value of keeping the environment clean, green and healthy through our Annual Go Green School Clean-up Day and other similar activities.

BSP has an on-going Go Green calendar, which

BAVAROKO PRIMARY ANGAGOI PRIMARY: KUNDIAWA

The BSP Annual Go Green School clean-up

KOKOPO SECONDARY

GO GREEN AMBASSADORS

2014: RECYCLE: AMBASSADORS:

QUICK FACTS

School students clean up the community surrounding their school. These children have learnt the importance of keeping their environment clean and green.

These kids at the Carr Memorial School in Port Moresby now know the value of keeping the environment clean, green and healthy, for future generations.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

In 2014, the BSP team in the Solomon Islands delivered seven (7) Community Projects, including our major Annual Schools Go Green Clean Up which was fully funded and supported by the bank.

The Annual Go Green Clean Up attracts thousands of students and concerned members of the community to unite and clean up the streets.

SOLOMON ISLANDS COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN 2014

AUKI BRANCH New toilet pans/cisterns for Auki Community High School.

GIZO BRANCH Gizo’s Netball Court which is run by the Western Province Netball Association.

HONIARA BRANCH Painting of Solomon Islands National University’s basketball court.

MUNDA BRANCH Installation of water tank at Dunde Community High School.

NORO BRANCH Painting of Soltuna’s netball court.

POINT CRUZ BRANCH Water tank project at Coronation School, China Town.

RENADI BRANCH Installation of 3000ltrs of water tank at Don Bosco Tech Institute.

BSP branch team at Munda handing over the water tank to the Dunde Community High School.

Our Fiji team are passionate about “giving back” to the communities and supporting causes that matter, whether it is through a community project, donations or simply volunteering for a worthy cause.

SPONSORSHIPS

BSP Short Course Age Group Nationals

DONATIONS

BSP donates $10,660 for WOWS Kids 2014 campaign

Water Projects

BSP supports WOWS Kids 2014 walk

Some Sponsorships & Organisations supported by BSP in Fiji include:

Some Donations & Events supported by BSP in Fiji include:

As Official Sponsor of the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games BSP is a proud supporter of swimming in Fiji.

GOING WHERE THE OTHER BANK’S DON’T

Our Banking Education Team has been able to carry out awareness, particularly in the rural areas, with support from other BSP teams via a “Whole of Bank” approach.

BSP also works with corporate clients such as OTML, NPBOL, InterOil and Steamships Group.

The Banking Education has been able to carry out awareness, particularly in the Rural areas, with support from other BSP teams via a “Whole of Bank” approach. BSP Banking Education was able to provide a service to communities within and surrounding their operational areas, as seen in this photo, where BSP officer James Niu is visiting Isumo village in WP. OTML is a successful example. Between July - August 2014, BSP Banking Education visited communities along the Fly River in the Western Province and reached 76 villages and 11,948 people.

In 2014, BSP’s Banking Education team reac ed more t an 4 ,000 unbanked and underbanked Papua New Guineans in some of the most remotest locations.

49,435

IN 2014, BSP opened e new rural Branches in Gusap, Kerema, Kikori, Navo and Padipadi. Our rural Branch network is now at 44 locations.

BANK ACCOUNTS FOR ALL:

On contents of this publication, contact our Marketing & PR Department: CRelations@bsp.com.pg

On our Products/Services contact our Customer Service Centre: servicebsp@bsp.com.pg 320 1212 or 7030 1212.

Women and children at Arato, Western Province showing off their new KunduCards and Kids KunduCards.

The No. of villages/communities reached by BSP Banking Education team in 2014.

The percentage of women reached by the BSP Banking Education team in 2014.

The number of people reached by the BSP Banking Education team in 2014

PMTC opts to expand

FROM PAGE 39

The college is currently running training for new navy recruits who are into the second week of their 10-week training in basic seamanship.

The PMTC said it was privileged to be conducting the vital maritime training for the new local navy personnel.

There are five qualified resident theory and

practical trainers Henry Wilson, Jonathan Nagu, Erastus Isaac and Francis Taumareta (Most trainers are ex-navy Officers) at PMTC while other aspects of the maritime course are outsourced to its training partners and stakeholders.

For further queries the PMTC Registrar Hayley H Kana can be contacted on 3216061/72320725 or through this email address: pmtcregistrarhk@gmail.com

POSITION VACANT

The National Training Council Secretariat is seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for the following positions.

Applications in writing must be submitted in triplicates, including copies of education qualifications, detailed curriculum vitae, and names of three (3) referees.

Enquiries regarding job descriptions and application forms are to be directed to the Finance & Administration Branch on telephone number 3200434/3212028, or email address lydia.kiina@gmail.com/karen.reea@ gmail.com. The application form can be collected from the office located on the 2nd Floor, Monian Tower Building, Douglas Street, Port Moresby or NTC website: ntcwebsite5.com.

Applications should be forwarded to the address below:

The Director National Training Council P O Box 1170

BOROKO

National Capital District

Attention: Assistant Director Finance & Administration Branch

Applications close on 17 April 2015.

Authorized by:

MR KINSELLA GEOFFREY Director

EAST NEW BRITAIN PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION

POSTION VACANCIES

The East New Britain Provincial Administration now has vacancies for qualified and experienced executives to provide strategic development initiatives, plans, polices and directives in all sectors of Socio-Economic, Districts & LLGs and Corporate Services, in particular to address issues of management capacities and coordination between the three tiers of the ENB Provincial Administration.

17

All application are to be submitted in one (1) copy only for each position. The following documents should accompany your Application for Employment (Form SR.3.2);

a) Recent Curriculum Vitae

b) Recent ID Photo

c) Copies of Academic Qualifications

d) Copy of Birth Certificate

e) Recent Work Reference

f) Recent Staff Performance Appraisal (if working) Applications should be signed and addressed to: The chairman Provincial Selection Committee ENBPA PO BOX 714 RABAUL East New Britain Province

For more information, please contact Human Resource Management on Phone: 982 5385/ 982 5419 BH. Applications close on the 27th March, 2015 at 4:06 pm.

ELECTRICIAN - SPECIALIST (JLE-E03) AND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT TRADE WORKER (JLE-EIT04)

An opportunity is available for a specialist electrician and Electronic Instrument Trade Workers within JLE PNG Limited for projects work. JLE PNG is a well-established industry specialising in electrical installation & maintenance, high pressure welding and other trades specialist work in hazardous environment and conditions.

Based in Hides, Tari, Southern Highlands Province, reporting to the Project Manager, the Specialist Electrician and Electronic Instrument Trade Worker role will be responsible for range of trade specialist activities including electrical and instrumentation infrastructure and maintenance work on the establishment of drilling rig.

The work will be undertaken on a land based gas drilling rig in hazardous areas (explosive areas) and particular skills are required. Knowledge of appropriate methods and technique according to AS/ NZS60079 standards is essential.

Key Responsibilities on underground drilling rigs. equipment and of high standard. instrumentation infrastructure in the drilling rig areas. with the JLE project management systems. and testing reports, equipment testing reports and the like.

Position Requirements or equivalent. and construction industry.

Application closes – Monday 02nd March 2015.

references including their immediate contact number to:

As little children

WE were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking.

The test

EVEN though Samuel passed the torch of leadership, he still continued as Israel’s spiritual leader in the role of prophet and teacher.

This can be seen in the conclusion of his speech in Gilgal. “‘And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.’”

(1 Samuel 12:23–25 NIV)

King Saul was in the position of king and leader of Israel and almost right away he has to deal with the test given him by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:8). Prophet Samuel instructed Saul to go ahead of him to Gilgal and wait seven days for him. This event did not seem to take place until after Samuel’s farewell speech.

As Saul began his 40-year reign, he and the nation were facing a fearsome enemy, the Philistines. Some have asked me if the Palestinians are descendants of the Philistines. I do not have space to explain this here, but I will say that they are not.

King Saul chose 3000 military men to serve under him, placing 2000 under himself and 1000 under his son, Jonathan. The other men returned home, but were ready to respond to a call to join the army if necessary.

The Philistines gathered together a powerful army to attack Israel after Jonathan attacked a Philistine army outpost. Their military included 3000 chariots and 6000 chariot drivers. The ground army was so large that no one was able to number them. They were described as “numerous as the sand on the sea shore”. This idiom was also used in Genesis 22:14 when God told Abraham that he would bless him so that his descendants would be as many as “the sand of the seashore”. Also in the book of Joshua the huge army of many nations that surrounded Joshua and Israel were

described as being as many as the “the sand of the seashore”. This was used in Bible times for something too much or too many to be counted.

King Saul felt the way Joshua felt. Things have not changed because even today enemies surround Israel. “The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”” (Joshua 11:6 NIV)

King Saul waited for Samuel in Gilgal, shaking with fear. Fear is never a good thing and hard to overcome. Fear is the opposite of faith. The great President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt, famously said during the economic depression, “The greatest fear that we have is fear itself.” Joshua, not as Saul, remained strong because of the word that came from the LORD. Saul knew that the Prophet Samuel had told him to wait for him in Gilgal, but sometimes it is hard to wait when we do not see any easy solution.

It was a God-given task for a prophet or priest to make sacrifices and to bring messages from God to the people. Even as king, Saul was required to be subservient to the Prophet Samuel because of Samuel’s God-given role of being the spiritual leader.

When Samuel did not show up as soon as King Saul thought he should, he took action without authorisation. “Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.’” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.”

(1 Samuel 13:7–9 NIV) When a leader is afraid, his fear can influence the men under him.

If only Saul had waited just a little longer, he would have passed the test. It was right when King Saul was offering the sacrifices that Samuel arrived. Saul went to greet him and Samuel’s first words were, ““What have you done?” asked Samuel.” (1 Samuel 13:11 NIV) We know this was trouble for Saul. Saul gives Samuel his reason for offering the sacrifice, but if we worship or believe the wrong way it is not pleasing to God no matter how we rationalise. We have to follow his teaching and do things his way even if our life is in danger.

The Prophet Samuel who had been so positive about Saul a few days earlier was now required to make a very sad pronouncement about him to him. ““You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’S command.”” (1 Samuel 13:13–14 NIV)

According to Samuel, King Saul failed the test because he did not keep the LORD’s command. This meant that Saul’s kingdom would not extend to his descendants. We will see how this plays out in future articles.

Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there”. He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.

His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. “Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?”

Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there”. Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby.

Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.

“Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air

he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “pick-me-up” position.

Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.

The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labour, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck.

The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, “I will,” from a throat that contained a stone.

He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift. You see, ma’am, I never saw my child grow up. My wife and son were taken from me in an automobile accident when they were both too young. I was never able to get over it.”

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks and “I’m sorry to hear that”. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.”

I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

~ Unknown

TWENTY years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.

In fear, King Saul made a hasty decision which was not from God, says FRANK MECKLENBURG. We must listen to Him even if our life is in danger.

The Samaritan’s sacrifice pits where sacrificed lambs are roasted. They are the only ones in Israel who practise sacrifices on a regular basis

Picture: FRANK MECKLENBURG

~ Mark Twain

Frank Mecklenburg

Freelance journalist and CEO of Zion Pathways

AN old man and woman were married for years even though they hated each other.

When they had a confrontation, screams and yelling could be heard deep into the night. A constant statement was heard by the neighbours who feared the man the most.

“When I die I will dig my way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

They believed he practised black magic and was responsible for missing cats and dogs, and strange sounds at odd hours. He was feared and enjoyed the respect it garnished.

He died abruptly under strange circumstances and the funeral had a closed casket. After the burial, the wife went straight to the local bar and began to party as if there was no tomorrow.

The gaiety of her actions were becoming extreme while her neighbours approached in a group to ask these questions: Are you not afraid? Concerned? Worried? that this man who practised black magic and stated when he died he would dig his way up and out of the grave to

come back and haunt you for the rest of your life?

The wife put down her drink and said, “Let the jerk dig. I had him buried upside down.”

THE little boy wasn’t getting good marks in school. One day he made the teacher quite surprised.

He tapped her on the shoulder and said…. “I don’t want to scare you, but my daddy says if I don’t get better grades….. somebody is going to get a spanking…”

A MAN and his wife are dining at a table in a plush restaurant, and the husband keeps staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sits alone at a nearby table. The wife asks, “Do you know her?”

“Yes,” sighs the husband, “She’s my ex-girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up seven years ago, and I hear she hasn’t been sober since.”

“My God!” says the wife, “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long.”

Best novels in 21st century

What are the greatest novels of the opening years of this tumultuous century? In search of a collective critical assessment, BBC Culture contributor JANE CIABATTARI polled several book critics.

Did you know?

Barely known facts

CALIGULA (Roman Emperor) once ordered his troops to go to war with the sea. He made troops return with seashells as plunder of war against Neptune.

CLEAR CocaCola was created for The USSR in the 1940s. Because CocaCola was regarded in the Soviet Union as a symbol of American imperialism, at least one Marshal requested a clear version of the drink. A chemist satisfied the request by removing the soda’s caramel colour and the company put the drink in a clear bottle with a white cap and a red star and sent 50 cases to Russia.

A KID born in Sweden in 1991 was named Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116. His parents said it was pronounced “Albin”.

SEVEN thousand deaths occur each year because of doctors’ sloppy handwriting.

APRIL 4, June 6, October 10 and December 12 will all fall on the same day of the week in any year. These days are called doomsdays, and they are meant to help calculate the day of the week of any given date.

MARILYN Monroe had a higher IQ than Albert Einstein.

JONATHAN Franzen, The Corrections (2001)

Franzen’s edgy multigenerational family saga, winner of a US National Book Award, was among the first novels to capture the zeitgeist of the century’s first decade.

As Alfred and Enid Lambert and their three far-flung adult children gather at the end of the 20th Century for “one last Christmas”, the father’s Parkinson’s disease progresses, and the US is on the verge of economic meltdown. “The Correction, when it finally came, was not an overnight bursting of a bubble but a much more gentle letdown, a year-long leakage of value from key financial markets,” writes Franzen.

This “astonishing third novel – a masterpiece of voice, character, and storytelling – is both epic and intimate,” New York Times columnist Carmela Ciararu notes. “Franzen secured his place as a major American writer.”

Laurie Hertzel, senior books editor of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune adds, “This big, sprawling, fat novel touches on some of the most important themes of the early years of this millennium – economic uncertainty, the conflicts between parents and their drifting middle-aged children and the enormous issues of an aging society past its prime. He does it with great storytelling and a lot of humour.” (Picador)

which has become an almost taboo topic in contemporary literature,” writes critic and author Dawn Raffel, who ranked Gilead first on her list. “Robinson is both an ‘ideas’ writer and an exquisite prose stylist, investigating the big questions within the intimate space of family and community. She is also a supremely good storyteller.”

Karen R Long, former books editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer who now manages the AnisfieldWolf book awards, adds: “This spare, multi-generational story inculcates a desire for transcendence, and makes a case for spiritual life in the 21st Century – its own kind of miracle. Gilead will be read in 100 years.” (Picador)

World is a triumph of empathy, immersing readers in a complex moral time without making simple judgments.

Facing an early death, Townsend ponders the future of his 50-acre Virginia plantation and the slaves he treats the way his former owner, now his mentor, taught him. “In my reading, The Known World is the best American novel published in the 21st Century – a stunning work about humans experiencing and surviving American slavery,” notes critic Walton Muyumba, author of The Shadow and the Act C Max Magee, founder and editor of The Millions writes, “Jones’s novel has an epic, complex sweep and takes an unflinching and engrossing view of America’s messy history.” (Amistad)

HILARY Mantel, Wolf Hall (2009)

Mantel’s boldly reimagined saga of 16th Century Europe, told from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell (with Henry VIII as a supporting character), won the Man Booker and National Book Critics Circle awards.

It was adapted to the stage and has been filmed as a new BBC miniseries. “The brilliance of retelling an oft-told tale is beautifully illustrated in Mantel’s flawless examination of power through the rise of Thomas Cromwell,” notes critic Karen R Long. Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times book editor and cohost of Well Read TV, writes: “I have never felt so completely catapulted into a character’s mind, not to mention a long ago and far away place.” Mantel’s sequel, Bring in the Bodies, also gathered votes.

JUNOT Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2007)

The winner in this BBC Culture critics’ poll is Junot Diaz’s first novel, about New Jersey ghettonerd Oscar, who dreams of being the DominicanAmerican Tolkien and finding love.

It also was named as the numberone book by the most critics.

“It is a big deal for me to fall in love with a book when its DNA is science fiction, fantasy and testosterone,” says Elizabeth Taylor, The Chicago Tribune’s literary editor-at-large.

MARILYNNE

The Rev John Ames, a smalltown Iowa minister, describes his life and anti-slavery heritage to his young son in dazzling lyrical language in this first instalment of Robinson’s trilogy (along with Home and Lila).

“I can’t think of a living novelist who writes more seriously and profoundly about religious faith,

(Picador)

“This was only the second book by a Latino author to receive the Pulitzer Prize in fiction,” notes critic and author Rigoberto Gonzalez. “Oscar Wao reaffirmed the strong connections Latinos maintain with their ancestral homeland’s culture, language and history. It also re-energised these questions: Who is American? What is the American experience?”

EDWARD P Jones, The Known World (2003)

Set in 1855 on the plantation of Henry Townsend – born a slave, now a slave-owner – The Known

Critic and playwright Gregg Barrios concurs, “Díaz’s deft mash-up of Dominican history, comics, scifi, magic realism and footnotes totally rocks. Nerdy Oscar and the book’s macho narrator Yunior resonate as authentically as Roth’s Portnoy, Updike’s Rabbit, Bellow’s Augie or Toole’s Ignatius.” (Riverhead) – BBC Culture

Robinson, Gilead (2004)

Number 5

Number 4

Number 3

Number 2

Number 1

Leader: Movie eggs on violence

IRAN’S supreme leader is criticising the film American Sniper, saying it encourages anti-Muslim violence.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments, which include him describing the movie as “propaganda... against Muslims,” were published in a state newspaper.

The daily IRAN Farsi paper claims Khamenei said he had not seen the film but had been told about it by others.

The film focuses on the life of US Navy SEAL marksman Chris Kyle, who is said to have 160 confirmed kills.

That makes him the deadliest sniper in US military history.

Two years ago he was shot dead, and the trial of the man accused of killing him is now dominating headlines in America.

“The movie Sniper that is made by Hollywood encourages a Christian or non-Muslim youngster to harass and offend the Muslims as far as they could,” Ayatollah Khamenei is quoted as saying.

“You are seeing what sort of propaganda there are against Muslims in Europe and the US.”

Ayatollah Khamenei is said to have made the comments three weeks ago, while meeting representatives of Iranian religious minorities in the country’s parliament.

He is also thought to have discussed attacks on Muslims by neo-Nazis in Germany, as well as saying Muslims are not safe in the West.

The film, starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood, has made more than $300m (K800m) in North American since its release in December.

Harvey Weinstein, a US film producer, has previously defended the film telling Newsbeat that it is “powerful” and “shows what these veterans go though, what our warriors go through”.

Although some Hollywood films are broadcast in Iran, American Sniper has not been released there.

Beckham up for award

DAVID Beckham is to be honoured with a Legend of Football Award.

The 39-year-old star – who played for the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid during his career – is to be honoured at the 20th Anniversary HMV Football Extravaganza at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on September 1.

Beckham said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be receiving this award. When you look at the list of the previous recipients, I feel very fortunate to be considered...”

Rivers missed out?

THE Academy has revealed Joan Rivers was “among the many worthy artists” cut from the Oscars In Memoriam segment.

Joan Rivers’ notable absence from the In Memoriam tribute during Sunday’s Oscars has been explained.

Fans were up in arms when the comedienne, who died at the age of 81 last September, was not featured in the tribute that airs annually during the Academy Awards broadcast.

Twitter erupted with widespread disbelief as answers to her absence were demanded and on Monday an Oscar spokesperson released a

statement on the matter.

“Joan Rivers is among the many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to feature in the In Memoriam segment of this year’s Oscar show,” a representative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences told Page Six

However, the rep did add that there is a longer, more inclusive gallery on the official website – Oscar.com – in which she is included.

Joan was known during her career in Hollywood as an actress, comedienne, writer and producer.

Over the years, she appeared in

films and TV shows such as The Muppets Take Manhattan, Here’s Lucy, Suddenly Susan and Iron Man 3. Her season of Celebrity Apprentice recently aired.

She was of course also the host of E!’s Fashion Police, during which her wicked sense of humour was in full force as she rated and slated A-listers’ red carpet style.

Former co-host Kelly Osbourne was among those who tweeted their sadness at Joan’s exclusion.

“Am I missing something or was @Joan_Rivers really left out of the #Oscars memorials?” she wrote.

The View co-host and previous Academy Award-winner Whoopi

Goldberg also weighed in on the subject during Monday’s show. She cited both Joan and TV and film actress Elaine Stritch’s absences.

“It’s the last hoorah and... it doesn’t matter how many actors it is, or direct. Everybody can stand to allow these folks, who have spent a lifetime in our industry, to be recognised,” Whoopi stated. Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known as Joan Rivers, was an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and television host noted for her often controversial comedic persona.

–EXPOSE Entertainment

Taylor Swift named popular artist

TAYLOR Swift has been named the world’s most popular artist of last year.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) list, is based on physical sales, downloads and streaming stats –despite not having any music on Spotify.

One Direction, who topped the list in 2013, slipped to second in 2014.

The top three was completed by Ed Sheeran, who read Tuesday morning’s weather forecast on the Radio 1 breakfast show.

The list is dominated by Brits with Coldplay (4th), Pink Floyd (7th) and Sam Smith (8th) also in the top 10.

One Direction, who have been the top UK act on the list for the last three years, were the only British

act on the list last year. In November, Swift, 25, removed her entire back catalogue from music-streaming service Spotify saying: “I’m not willing to contribute my life’s work to an experiment that I don’t feel fairly compensates the writers, producers, artists and creators of this music.”

The 25-year-old said having her music on the streaming site “didn’t feel right”.

Her fifth studio album 1989 went on to debut at number one in America’s Billboard chart and became the singer’s second UK number one.

The album, which the singer said was predicated to sell 650,000 in its opening week, sold 1.29 million copies in its first seven days.

Those sales made her the only

act to have three albums sell more than one million copies in their first week on sale.

Swift, who will play at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Norwich later this year, is one of eight new entries in the IFPI’s top 10 compared to last year’s list.

One Direction and Katy Perry, who has fallen four places from fifth to ninth, are the only artists to keep their place.

The other names on the list –

Michael Jackson (sixth), Katy Perry (ninth) and Beyonce (10th) – are all American except for Australian rock group AC/DC – who came fourth.

The IFPI, which only includes musical acts on the list, said that the soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen would have topped Swift. – BBC

The late Joan Rivers

Taylor Swift was ranked number one, followed by 1D (below)

Racing at Warwick Farm tomorrow...

Above begins Oaks campaign at Farm

HORSE RACING

SPRING formlines behind two of Sydney’s best threeyear-olds suggest High Above might be the horse to turn around a tough season for Anthony Cummings.

Cummings assembled a promising team for last year’s spring carnival, only to have his plans derailed by a virus that swept through his stable.

High Above was one of the horses earmarked for major races but she succumbed a day before she was due to contest the Thousand Guineas and was spelled.

She returns in the Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday, the first race in a campaign geared towards the Group One ATC Australian Oaks.

A daughter of High Chaparral out of a Zabeel mare, the Oaks certainly appeals as the right autumn race on pedigree although the stable representative Edward Cummings feels she has her share of speed as well.

“She’s a filly we think highly of although she will probably need the run on Saturday,” he said.

PROTECTIONIST following last year’s Melbourne Cup victory.

Trainer Kris Lees issues Protectionist warning

HORSE RACING

TRAINER Kris Lees believes Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Protectionist is under the odds in Saturday’s $200,000 Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

Not seen since a stunning four-length win in the race that stops the nation, the five-year-old has already been backed with TAB from his opening price of $4 into $3.80.

In 10 career starts to date,

Protectionist has only raced below 2000m twice; for a win on debut in a maiden and a runner-up finish at his second start over 1700m.

Lees said the pace of the race on Saturday would have a big bearing on whether the German import could win over 1800m first-up.

“If it’s a slowly run race and they sprint from the 600 then I think he’ll be found wanting a little bit,” Lees told Racing. com’s Shane Anderson on RSN’s Racing Ahead.

“If he’s able to get a building

tempo and a little bit of clear running then I think he’ll be effective.

“Regardless of where he finishes I want to see him strong through the line. I think he can win under the right circumstances but he’s been pretty well found in the market and I’d be a bit guarded from a betting perspective.”

Jockey Craig Williams, who partnered Protectionist when he finished fourth at his Australian debut in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield, has again been

given the ride on the horse.

Confident Williams was the right man for the job, Lees said barrier seven was an ideal draw for the son of Monsun.

“It appears a perfect draw in the middle of the field to give him options,” he said.

“There doesn’t appear to be a great deal of pressure on paper so it will be interesting to see how the race is run. There’s a couple of good horses that are more race-fit than him.”

Protectionist aside, Lees

will also saddle promising filly Marple Miss in the Group 2 Polytrack Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Lees said he thought the daughter of Not A Single Doubt - who is rated a $4.60 chance with TAB - was a strong chance to finish in the first three.

“She’s a half-sister to Shamus Award and we just thought this was the right option rather than trying to take on the Sydney fillies at level weights,” he said.

“We think she is a genuine miler at that sort of level and also capable of staying a trip as a three-year-old.”

High Above finished third to subsequent Group One winner and Saturday’s Surround favourite First Seal on debut at Randwick in August.

She won her next start in a midweek race at Warwick Farm by five lengths before finishing fifth to Godolphin colt Sweynesse in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle.

Outsider Aomen will represent the stable in the Liverpool City Cup.

McEvoy speaks highly of Waterhouse Filly

HORSE RACING

A TASTE of early-season racing could be decisive when the Gai Waterhouse-trained Speak Fondly resumes in Saturday’s Sweet Embrace Stakes at Warwick Farm.

The two-year-old filly showed she was one of Tulloch Lodge’s more precocious youngsters with a minor placing behind Godolphin pair Calaverite and Igraine in the Gimcrack Stakes in October.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy expects that early experience

The bottom line

to work in the filly’s favour when she resumes in the Sweet Embrace.

“She’s had a race-day experience and she’s all the wiser for that,” McEvoy said.

“I haven’t ridden her in a race but I’ve ridden her at home and in her trials.

“She was a nice winner of her trial last time so she’s going to go to the races and have a good chance on Saturday.”

Speak Fondly beat stablemate Raphael’s Cat in her most recent barrier trial and the colt confirmed his prom-

ise with a winning debut at Rosehill on Saturday.

She is rated the main threat to the Chris Waller-trained favourite Always Allison.

Alpina is at $21 and the only one of the 12 acceptors yet to race.

Her trainer John Thompson is mindful of her inexperience but regards her highly enough to have kept her in Golden Slipper contention.

“Timing-wise she’s in now ready to go and you never know, she could be a surprise on Saturday,” Thompson said.

Origins; Organized horse racing in the United States dates back to 1665

York.

SPEAK Fondly (middle) put in an auspicious debut in the Gimcrack.

when was Richard Nicolls, the royal governor of New

ANTHONY Cummings is eying off feature success with High Above.

Snowden chasing third Blue Diamond win

HORES RACING

PRIDE Of Dubai is different to Peter Snowden’s two Blue Diamond winners but the Sydney trainer won’t be shocked if the colt can produce the same result as Sepoy and Earthquake.

Snowden says Sepoy and Earthquake were more precocious than Pride Of Dubai because they had natural speed to race near the front.

But he is adamant Pride Of Dubai can unleash a sprint capable of putting himself into the $1 million race when it matters.

“He’s had two starts, both times he’s been worse than midfield so it’s obvious he hasn’t got good natural pace but what he’s got is a good turn of foot,” Snowden said.

“Good quality horses can do special things and this horse has shown me on the track

that he has got the ability to do those special things.

“I think he showed a glimpse of that at his last start.”

Pride Of Dubai, who had placed in his two starts, was a late entry for the Blue Diamond after he powered home in the colts and geldings Prelude to be beaten in a photo by Of The Brave.

Snowden said the colt had taken natural improvement from that run and expected

the rise to 1200m to be in his favour.

But he is concerned about unbeaten favourite Fontiton, rating her the horse to beat.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Fontiton has firmed from $2.55 to $2.20 since Tuesday’s barrier draw.

Pride Of Dubai is at $6 after opening at $5.50.

“He (Pride Of Dubai) has drawn a nice gate to get a midfield run and hopefully

INEXPERT GENEVA

Lake Geneva is the least experienced runner in the Blue Diamond Stakes but connections are relying on untapped potential to take her a long way in the $1 million race.

Lake Geneva will step out for just her second start in Saturday’s Group One at Caulfield but she is rated among the leading chances.

“We wouldn’t be running her unless we thought she had a chance,” Coolmore Australia’s general manager Michael Kirwan said.

Coolmore sold the Fastnet Rock filly for $1 million as a yearling but the stud bought her back after a debut placing in the Widden Stakes. She will race in the stud’s famous navy blue silks on Saturday.

Hot Streak

For much of this season it was expected that John O’Shea would be the trainer to follow on Blue Diamond Stakes Day. Sheikh Mohammed’s head trainer has been the dominant force in two-year-old races in 2014/15 and the $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond is Victoria’s biggest juvenile race of the year. O’Shea’s dominance with the babies has slowed a little, but he is still churning out the winners and is batting at a winning strike-rate of just under 33 per cent for the past fortnight. O’Shea did not have any joy from his three runners on Thursday, but that was a rare occasion that he didn’t emerge from a meeting with a winner in that time.

he’s strong enough at the end to pick up the Melbourne filly (Fontiton),” Snowden said.

“She’s three from three and she’s the benchmark.”

Pride Of Dubai arrived in Melbourne on Thursday morning and Snowden said the trip didn’t worry the youngster.

“He arrived better this morning than what he did when he first went down,” Snowden said.

Gai-Flamboyant way to break the drought

HORSE RACING

A FEW in the esteemed media, just of late, have taken it upon themselves to remind me that the Blue Diamond trophy does not sit on the

mantle at Tulloch Lodge. Also I am reminded, that this great race for two-year-olds run at Caulfield every year, is the only Group 1 for the babies that I have not won since taking the helm at Tulloch Lodge.

Well we must do something about that! And I think I just may be able to do just that this year with the talented filly Flamboyant Lass (Stratum x Flamboyance).

Around 18 of my 126 Group

1 wins have been recorded in the five Group 1 races for twoyear-olds run in our Sunburnt Land every year. But yes, as I am reminded, the Blue Diamond is not on display in the TJ Room at Tulloch Lodge.

Flamboyant Lass is by the Golden Slipper winner Stratum, a sire that ranks as one of my favourite in Australia. He stands at Widden Stud for $38,500 and is carving out a fantastic reputation for him-

IMPORT SURPRISE

Imported galloper Guest Of Honour could be the surprise packet in the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, according to his new trainer. Guest Of Honour will be having his first outing for Lindsay Park training combination of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig after being sent to Australia for last year’s Cox Plate under the care of Marco Botti.

self with both sprinters and middle-distance horses. He is even producing the odd stayer like my Grafton Cup winner Queenstown. Upon my first inspection of the filly that would become Flamboyant.

Symon just Wilde about Tycoon Tara

HORSE RACING

FOR trainer Symon Wilde, exciting mare Tycoon Tara arguably couldn’t have come at a better time in his career.

The four-year-old has already provided Wilde with three of his 32 winners this season, including his biggest success since he started training in his own name at the beginning of this season, with her last-start win in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m).

After six years of training in partnership with his father

bottom line

Bill, the 35-year-old took over the reins of the family business when his father wanted to take a back seat.

Though the Wildes have been no stranger to good horses, having previously trained Group winners Baughurst and So Swift, Wilde said Tycoon Tara’s potential was what made her such an exciting prospect.

“The fact that you don’t know where she’s going to get to is the most exciting thing,”

Wilde said.

“You’re always after these types of horses. I feel our

stable has always flown under the radar, we get regular winners but people only really notice you when you get a good horse.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re getting bad horses to win, it’s really only these type of horses that put you on the map.”

A daughter of Written Tycoon, Tycoon Tara was bred and is still part-owned by former trainer Tony Krushka.

Wilde said the relationship with Krushka developed when they enjoyed success with a couple of horses sent

to them by Krushka when he first retired.

“Tony moved down here from Mornington when he gave up training and moved to Port Fairy to start a bed and breakfast,” he said.

“Tycoon Tara is out of a mare (Mosstara) that Tony raced. A lot of his former owners are involved in her and they’re a great group to train for.”

After winning her maiden by six lengths in January last year, Tycoon Tara spent close to a year on the sidelines with a hoof injury.

After the Civil War horse racing, like many sports, began to boom as other entrepreneurs followed Morrissey’s lead.

PRIDE Of Dubai (left) just fails to reel-in Of The Brave.

TYCOON Tara wins at Sandown.

The

Racing at Doomben tomorrow...

Pienkna flies solo for Gollan at Doomben

HORSE RACING

Trainer Tony Gollan will rely on Pienkna instead of Thousand Guineas placegetter Traveston Girl as his runner in the Hardy Brothers Jewellers Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Gollan has switched plans for Traveston Girl with the filly to resume in Sydney next week.

“At this stage she will have a short autumn carnival in Sydney before possibly coming back for the winter,” Gollan said.

Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy has been booked to ride Traveston Girl at Randwick.

Gollan says he is keen for Pienkna to get back into a winning groove as she resumes after two unplaced runs during the Melbourne spring carnival.

“She didn’t handle the straight at her first run at Flemington and then the track was wet at Moonee Valley when she was unplaced in the Champange Stakes,” Gollan said.

Heathcote hopes Excellantes has used up his bad luck

HORSE RACING

TRAINER Rob Heathcote is hoping Excellantes has used up all his bad luck and is optimistic the gelding can rediscover his best form in the Listed Falvelon Quality at Doomben on Saturday.

Excellantes drew a perfect gate and was to be ridden by Damian Browne in last week’s washed-out Falvelon Quality at Doomben.

However, when the 1200-metre feature was added to Saturday’s program, Excellantes

drew barrier nine with stablemate Jopa jumping from the outside gate 10.

“He’s been as great horse for the stable and his connections but he’s been very unlucky a few times this preparation,”

Heathcote said.

“He had to carry 60kgs when he was just beaten at Caloundra on Boxing Day then two runs later he dumped his rider at the start.

“Last time he was trapped wide throughout and only just got beaten.”

Heathcote has booked

Michael Cahill to partner Excellantes with Browne riding Pride Of Dubai in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

While Browne has an outstanding record with seven wins from 15 rides on Excellantes, Cahill will be having his first ride on the sevenyear-old.

Excellantes, whose last win was the Listed Ascot Handicap at Eagle Farm in July last year, will be given a short break after the Falvelon to prepare for the Brisbane

winter carnival. “Hopefully he’ll win this one and go for a break before the winter carnival,” Heathcote said. “There’s nothing big planned. He’s not quite up to the bigger races and we’ll look at the second and third tier races with him.”

Meanwhile Heathcote will be content to go through the grades with Board Director who runs in the Hardy Brothers Jewellers QTIS Threeyear-old Handicap (1110m).

Board Director was most impressive winning his maiden

Morrisey keeps the faith

HORSE RACING

A SOFT track and a final field missing some highprofile nominations have boosted hopes Living On A Prayer can continue trainer John Morrisey’s successful week at Doomben.

Morrisey had a double at Ipswich on Wednesday and is confident Living On A Prayer can run well in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m).

The Falvelon is traditionally a strong race and last year it was won by Tiger

The bottom line

Tees before he went on to take the Group One Galaxy in Sydney.

However, Saturday’s race appears below its usual standard because two of the best-performed nominations, Sydneysider Hot Snitzel and Gold Coast filly Aimee, didn’t accept.

Living On A Prayer was among the acceptances for the Falvelon Quality last week but the meeting was washed out.

“I decided he deserved a chance at a Listed race in the city,” Morrisey said.

“His campaign has been mucked around when he was scratched from a wide alley and then the next week the meeting was abandoned.

“But he is a good fresh horse and I am told the sting should be out of the track.”

Living On A Prayer is much travelled, having originally raced in country NSW for Wagga Wagga trainer David Heywood before winning last year’s Townsville Cleveland Bay Handicap for Terry Butts.

He was sent to Morrisey

after his Townsville win and scored on a heavy track at Doomben in August.

Living On A prayer has had one run back from a spell when fifth behind Facile Tigre at the Sunshine Coast on January 17.

“He had a trial and did a good job to run second in it two weeks ago,” Morrisey said.

Living On A Prayer is one of the outsiders in an open race with three horses - Architect, Rocket To Glory and The Peak - sharing early favouritism at $4.50.

at Doomben last month before placing at his past two starts including his latest effort when runner-up to Upstart Pride on the same track on February 14.

“He’s a nice horse who should run well again,” Heathcote said.

“He’s had bad barriers most of his career and we’ve had to scratch him a few times because he’s drawn wide.”

Board Director has finally drawn well in barrier two which has boosted Heathcote’s confidence.

“In hindsight I should have stopped her campaign after Flemington. But she has had a couple of jump-outs and I hope she races well on Saturday,” he said.

Gollan has entered Pienkna for the Arrowfield Sprint at Randwick on April 11 but insists she must be racing well to earn an interstate trip.

The trainer will also closely monitor the effort of Best Of The Rest to find out if the stayer can be a fringe winter carnival horse.

Best Of The Rest, who has won both of his starts for Gollan since coming from Sydney, will contest the Sapphire Recruitment Handicap.

“If he races well we will look at races like the Ipswich Cup and Toowoomba Cup for him in the winter,” Gollan added.

Gollan has elected to run prolific-winning sprinter Rocket To Glory in the Listed Falvelon Quality.

Weight’s right for improving Vodnik- Hill

HORSE RACING

A SHARP drop in weight has trainer Bruce Hill convinced improving stayer Vodnik can step up to winning in open company at Doomben on Saturday.

Vodnik finished second at his only start in England before being sold to an Australian syndicate which includes well-known owners Graham and Linda Huddy and Neil Werrett. The fiveyear-old was originally trained in Sydney by Chris Waller and won a race at Kembla Grange before being sent to Gold Coast-based Hill. Since joining Hill, Vodnik

If horse-racing is the sport of Kings, how come there are no famous royal jockeys.

has won two restricted-class staying races and finished second to Newcastle galloper Artibai at Doomben three weeks ago. Vodnik was given topweight of 59kg in a restricted race at Doomben last week but the meeting was washed out. Hill decided to take on open company when he realised Vodnik would get the minimum of 54kg in the Sapphire Recuitment Handicap (2200m). “He is a lovely horse and he just keeps improving with every week,” Hill said. “I think he is well up to open company in Brisbane and I am looking at the winter carnival for him.”

JOCKEY Damien Browne rides Excellantes to victory at Doomben.

Supermassive black hole

Monster hole challenges physics

THE discovery of a supermassive black hole from the early cosmos is set to rewrite physics, say scientists.

An international team of astronomers detected a black hole 12 billion times the mass of our Sun, they report today in the journal Nature . The black hole, which formed just 900 million years after the Big Bang, is the source of a powerful beam of bright material known as a quasar.

“When we found this supermassive black hole we got very excited because we had found something that we never thought we could find,” says Dr Fuyan Bian of the Australian National University.

The team, led by Xue-Bing Wu at Peking University, discovered the black hole and quasar – known as SDSS JO100+2802 – using the Sloan digital sky survey, then followed up with three other telescopes.

With a luminosity of 420 trillion that of our Sun’s, the new quasar is seven times brighter than the most distant quasar known.

At a glance

MASS: The supermassive black hole is 12 times the mass of the sun.

LUMINOSITY: The black hole is the source of a powerful beam of bright material called quasar. Its luminosity is 420 trillion that of the sun.

USE: The glowing liight will jelp the scientist probe more about the early Universe.

MYSTERY: T “It’s very hard to make these kinds of supermassive black holes very early in the universe,” says Bian.

house in the distant universe, its glowing light will help us probe more about the early Universe,” says Wu.

But the discovery of the supermassive black hole powering the quasar presents a mystery: how can such a monster black hole grow so quickly in the early Universe?

“It’s very hard to make these kinds of supermassive black holes very early in the universe,” says Bian.

NEW physics are needed to explain an ancient supermassive black hole quasar 12 billion times the mass of the Sun (NASA/Caltech). Picture: ABC

RoBears to care for Japan’s growing elderly

ROBOTIC nurses with cute bear faces developed by Japanese engineers could soon be the future carers of the nation’s growing elderly population.

Japanese research institute Riken developed the Robear to support healthcare workers, with enough power to lift frail patients from bed and support unstable patients on their feet.

The Robear is based on an earlier model called RIBA, which was introduced in 2011. The upgraded Robear is about 90 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, capable of more subtle movements and sports an even cuter look.

“The polar cub-like look is aimed at radiating an atmosphere of strength, geniality and cleanliness at the same time,” research leader Toshiharu Mukai said.

“We voted for this design among options presented by our designer. We hope to commercialise the robot in the not too distant future.”

A historically low birth rate and ever-increasing life expectancy means

Japan’s population of elderly people is growing, while the pool of youngsters to look after them is shrinking.

Japan’s declining population puts it on course to lose half its workforce by 2060, and possibly its status as an economic superpower.

Despite calls for large-scale immigration into the racially homogenous country, residents remain reluctant, meaning an increasing reliance on robots, especially to perform physically difficult work.

This frequently combines with the country’s love of all things cute, to produce machines with disarming faces and child-like voices.

Riken said it aimed to combat the burden Japan’s ageing population would place on the healthcare system.

“As Japan is ageing with fewer children, the problem of a shortage in caregivers for the elderly is getting serious,” Riken said in a statement.

“Expectations are high that robotics will help resolve this problem.”

-ABC news

Black tea could help treat osteoporosis

TOKYO: Researchers in Japan say black tea could help treat osteoporosis, a bone condition affecting older people, but admit you need to drink an awful lot of it.

Scientists say the humble brew contains an antioxidant that can prevent the loss of bone density commonly seen in old age that makes the elderly more vulnerable to fractures.

The news is the latest claim for a drink that is a staple of countries around the world, and one over which never-ending arguments rage about how to brew the perfect cup.

Researchers led by Keizo Nishikawa of Osaka University found that thea-

flavin-3 (TF-3), the antioxidant, works by inhibiting the function of an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase, which destroys bone tissue.

The research, published in the online edition of the US journal Nature Medicine, found that mice suffering from osteoporosis who were given TF-3 showed recovering levels of bone volume, similar to those of healthy mice.

But it might be a bit early to rush to put the kettle on - the research found that a 60 kilogram adult would have to drink 60 cups of tea over three days to see a noticeable difference, Jiji Press reported. -AAP news

“This quasar is very unique. Just like the brightest light-

“We need to find some new theory that can grow the supermassive black hole much

faster than we thought.”

Supermassive black holes are believed to have formed in conjunction with galaxies in the early Universe but according to current theories there must be a careful balancing of forces to build a black hole.

As material accelerates under the force of gravity towards a black hole, it heats up, emitting an extraordinary amount of energy in the form of a quasar.

But the energy of the quasar actually pushes material away from the black hole so if it is too great it can stop material falling onto to the black hole altogether.

These forces must be balanced, which limits how fast a black hole can grow. This fact, combined with the small amount of matter available in the early Universe in the first place, make it hard for scientists to explain how the supermassive black hole came into existence.

“With this supermassive black hole, very early in the Universe, that theory cannot work,” says Bian.

“It’s time for a new hypothesis and for some new physics.” -ABC news

of the Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

This Notice is to inform all the landowners of the respective PDL areas including Stanley Gas Condensate Project (PDL 10) that Mr. David Ganaii, Acting First Assistant Secretary for Commerce Division is the only officially endorsed contacted person at the Department of Trade, Commerce & Industry (DTCI) to deal with and advise Landowners on business development issues including Business Development Grants (BDGs) for the oil and Gas Projects.

Landowners of the PDL areas are warned not to deal with any other person (s) other than Mr. David Ganaii through the Office of the Secretary. The Department of Trade, Commerce & industry will not be responsible for any commitment under-takings made by other person (s). All matters relating to business development issues including the BDGs should be brought to Mr. Ganaii.

Any officer from DTCI found to be deceiving landowners and soliciting funds from them will be charged and dismissed from the Public Service. Landowners are advised to immediately report such matters to the Office of the Secretary on telephone 325 9225 or email: edairi@dci.gov.pg

Authorized by:

JOHN ANDRIAS Secretary 24th February, 2015

Trial exposes Laden’s papers

Accused denies seeing papers

THE trial of a Pakistani man accused of plotting bomb attacks in the US and the UK has seen documents seized during the raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound.

The documents referred to planned attacks in the Britain, Europe and Russia, a US court heard.

Abid Naseer, 28, stands accused of orchestrating an al-Qaeda conspiracy to attack Manchester and New York.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied he was involved in any violent extremism.

The documents presented to the New York jury included a letter to Osama Bin Laden outlining planned attacks.

Taken during a US Navy Seal raid on the al-Qaeda chief’s Pakistan home in 2011, the papers made no mention of Manchester specifically and did not mention the defendant’s name.

In the letter to Bin Laden, the author says “brothers” had been dispatched to Britain, Russia and Europe but that some had been arrested.

“The winds blew against what the ships desire,” it noted. Mr Naseer was extradited to the US from the UK in 2013.

New York prosecutors say he was part of a large alQaeda conspiracy to bomb a Manchester shopping centre and the New York subway system.

The defendant, who is representing himself, denies all charges.

On Tuesday, the courtroom heard evidence from British security service agents who were dressed in wigs and make-up to protect their identity.

The MI5 agents tracked Mr Naseer in 2009 as he visited a Manchester shopping centre, the court heard.

Mr Naseer was later arrested in the UK on suspicion of plotting an attack. No explosives were found but he and others were ordered to leave the country.

After avoiding deportation to Pakistan on human rights grounds, he was rearrested in the UK in 2010 and eventually extradited to the US.

Mr Naseer faces life in prison if convicted of the charges against him.

BANK OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PUBLIC NOTICE

“A WORLD CLASS NATIONAL PAYMENTS SYTEM FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA”

The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) is pleased to announce the completion of the third phase of Kina Automated Transfer System (KATS), relating to “ Direct Credits ” which went live on Monday, 9th February 2015. The KATS was introduced by Bank of Papua New Guinea for banks to transact with each other making direct payments to their customer’s account. The direct credit payment facility is a milestone achievement for Papua New Guinea. Business houses, companies, organizations and individuals can make direct payments using their funds held in a bank account to an account held in another bank.

The Bank of PNG updated the regulatory framework legislation for payments system through the National Payment System Project. With the updated legislative framework for payments, the BPNG worked closely with all commercial banks to implement the KATS. This has made significant changes to systems and processes.

The key strategic elements of the National Payments System will provide many benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea :

Speed and certainty of payments

Safety and reliability

Cost effectiveness

International standards

Reduction of fraud and systemic risk

The automated exchange of cheque images brought challenges, requiring correct cheque formats and compliance with Financial Investigation Unit requirements. Initially this brought an increase in dishonoured cheques, however the cheque users who comply with the requirements are enjoying the benefit of reduced clearing times, now down to 4 days. This is expected to reduce further once all parties have become fully accustomed to the process, changes and requirements.

BPNG will continue with further developments to the National Payments System to improve financial inclusion, reduce the cost of transactions and ensure that all citizens have access to modern, convenient, efficient and safe means of making and receiving payments.

As an ongoing activity, BPNG will work actively with market players and other stakeholders to encourage the introduction of new and innovative payment instruments and services.

For further information, please contact the Manager, Banking Department, Bank of PNG on Phone: 322 7279 or email: rkule@bankpng.gov.pg

Authorised by: Mr. Loi M. Bakani Governor

Jakarta urged to respect Bali Nine appeals

KEROBOKAN:- Indonesia’s attorneygeneral has announced 10 prisoners will face the firing squad in the next round of executions, but among them could be at least three with cases before the courts and one prisoner promised a second opinion on his medical condition.

HM Prasetyo on Wednesday confirmed the 10 would be executed on Nusakambangan island, in central Java, on a date to be set, but he did not name them all.

“When all preparations have been made, then we will immediately execute them,” he told reporters.

Four convicted drug smugglers were yet to be transferred to Nusakambangan - Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, Filipina Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso and Nigerian Raheem Agbaje Salami.

Chan and Sukumaran’s lawyers are urging the attorney-general to respect their planned appeal of a court’s decision on Tuesday to throw out their challenge of President Joko Widodo’s clemency process.

They have two weeks to lodge that appeal.

French prisoner Serge Areski Atlaoui also has a live case, with his bid for a judicial review to be heard in

court next month. His lawyer Aristo Pangaribuan says although his client was denied presidential clemency, he has not yet exhausted his right to the review.

He will argue his client, who has always denied the charges, does not deserve the death penalty.

That’s if he is still alive by the court date.

“The attorney-general said that our judicial review will not delay the execution,” Mr Aristo told AAP.

“But it’s not right. How can we restore justice if the person is already dead?”

According to Amnesty International and media reports, Veloso also has a judicial review pending.

Another drug smuggler facing execution, Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte, is awaiting a second opinion on his mental health.

Gularte has paranoid schizophrenia and the attorney-general has agreed that he should be taken off Nusakambangan for a fuller exam before he’s executed.

But his lawyer Rico Akbar says that’s yet to happen.

“The authorities must pay attention to this,” he said.

-AAP news

Afghan avalanches kill 108

PANJSHIR: Avalanches caused by a heavy winter snow have killed at least 108 people in northeastern Afghanistan.

The avalanches buried homes across four northeast provinces, killing those beneath, said Mohammad Aslam Syas, the deputy director of the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority.

The province worst hit appeared to be Panjshir province, about 100km

northeast of the capital, Kabul, where the avalanches destroyed or damaged around 100 homes.

Rescue teams had been dispatched to the affected areas and casualties were expected to rise, Syas said.

The heavy snowstorms, which began early Tuesday, hampered rescue efforts. Snow fall from the storm was nearly one-metre deep in places and fallen trees blocked roads in the Panjshir Valley. -AAP news

ABID Naseer, left, denies plotting to attack the US and UK. Picture: BBC

New York trio tried to join Islamic State

THE FBI has arrested three foreign nationals living in Brooklyn who, agents say, sought to join the Islamic State.

Two of the men had threatened to kill police officers and FBI agents in the US if they were unable to travel to Syria, the FBI said.

The men came to the authorities’ attention after they posted to Uzbek-language websites in recent months.

In one post, they pledged to kill US President Barack Obama, the FBI said.

Abdurasul Juraboev, 24, and Abror Habibov, 30, both of Uzbekistan; and Akhror Saidakhmetov, 19, of Kazakhstan, were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.

Mr Saidakhmetov was arrested at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York on Tuesday, as he tried to board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Mr Juraboev bought a plane ticket to travel from New York to Istanbul next month, federal prosecutors said.

The third suspect, Mr Habibov, is accused of helping to fund Mr Saidakhmeto’s efforts to join the Syrian jihadists, prosecutors said.

-BBC news

Row between US, Netanyahu worsens

A ROW between the US and Benjamin Netanyahu has deepened, with the Israeli leader accusing America and others of “giving up” on trying to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

The US Secretary of State questioned Mr Netanyahu’s judgement on the issue.

Republican leaders have invited Mr Netanyahu to address the US Congress next week, angering Democrats.

A White House spokesman warned against reducing US-Israeli ties to a party political issue.

Earlier, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Mr Netanyahu’s visit was “destructive to the fabric of the relationship”.

In response Mr Netanyahu he said the US and others were “accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, will develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons”.

“I respect the White House and the president of the United States but on such a fateful matter, that can determine whether or not we survive, I must do everything to prevent such a great danger for Israel,” he said in a speech in Israel.

Late on Wednesday US Secretary of State John Kerry rebuffed Mr Netanyahu, saying: “He may have a judgment that just may not be correct here.”

He said it was premature to criticise nuclear the negotiations with Tehran. “The president has made clear - I can’t state this more firmly - the policy is Iran will not get a nuclear weapon,”

Iran stages war games

IRAN’S elite Revolutionary Guard has staged war games in the Strait of Hormuz, including a gunboat attack on a huge mock-up model US warship, state television reported.

The event was Tehran’s latest display of military muscle in a Gulf shipping channel vital to world oil exports.

A ceremony marking the exercises was attended by commanders of the Guard, an influential military force led by anti-western hawks, and parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani.

State TV footage showed a number of gunboats swarming the huge model warship and blasting it with missiles.

The “maquette of an American aircraft carrier” was built to scale and targeted with cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, according to Fars News, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guard.

The gunboats also carried out an exercise in laying mines, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency. Western navies also stage military exercises in the Gulf, saying they wish to guarantee freedom of navigation. Iran, whose entire southern border runs along the Gulf and the adjacent Gulf of Oman, has often said it could block Hormuz, which connects the two waters.

Mr Kerry told senators. He was speaking after returning from the latest round of nuclear talks involving Iran in Geneva.

Mr Netanyahu was invited by House Speaker John Boehner in what is seen as a rebuke to US President Barack Obama’s Iran policy.

Mr Netanyahu is expected to discuss Iran, as well as Islamist militant groups, in his address.

The current tensions took root over a decade ago when Iran’s nuclear program first came to light.

In 2005, Iran was referred to the UN Security Council, leading to a series of sanctions and UN resolutions requiring Tehran to stop enriching uranium.

The US and other powers - the socalled P5+1 - are negotiating with Iran on its nuclear programme. They want to agree a deal by March this year, but Mr Netanyahu is opposed to any agreement which might allow Tehran to retain the future capacity to build a nuclear weapon.

The Israeli leader has turned down an invitation to meet Senate Democrats privately. -BBC news

THE Islamic State made a lightning offensive in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Picture: BBC

I must do everything to prevent such great danger for Israel ...

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU United State

Madonna falls off stage

POP star Madonna has fallen off the stage during her performance at the 2015 Brit Awards.

The singer tumbled down a set of stairs and landed awkwardly, apparently after a dancer tried to remove a cape she was wearing at the start of her routine.

However, she recovered and returned to the stage to finish her song, Living For Love. She later released a statement saying she was “fine” and her cape had been “tied too tight”.

“Nothing can stop me and

love really lifted me up,” she wrote on Instagram, referencing the lyrics to her song. “Thanks for your good wishes!”

The painful incident came at the end of a ceremony where Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith both won two awards.

You may have wondered why there was no gasp of shock from the O2 crowd as Madonna took her backward tumble.

Well, sitting way up in the balcony seats among some of Madonna’s biggest fans –the type who know and sing

along with every lyric – the initial thought was that it may have been a particularly well orchestrated dance manoeuvre.

Consider the evidence – she fell on the lyric “I let down my guard, I fell into your arms” and was back on her feet to sing purposely “now that it’s over, I’m going to carry on”.

The truth later emerged but credit to the showbiz trooper for carrying on. In the words of those other Brit Award history-makers Chumbawamba “I get knocked down but I get up again”. -BBC news

Forgotten pope sees out days

VATICAN CITY: It was feared he would become a sort of shadow Pope. Instead he has opted to see out what remains of his life in the shadows.

Two years after becoming the first leader of the Catholic Church to resign in seven centuries, Benedict XVI has melted away from public view, even if he remains a benchmark for those in the Vatican who are unhappy with the less traditionalist, more unpredictable regime that succeeded his.

Anyone seeking a gauge of the relative popularity of Benedict and his successor, Francis, need look no further than the souvenir stalls in the streets around St Peter’s: the new Pope’s beaming face is everywhere while postcards featuring the austere features of the erstwhile Joseph Ratzinger are rapidly becoming collector’s items.

Benedict formally retired on February 28, 2013, leaving the Vatican in a white Italian airforce helicopter for the papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo, where he spent a few months recuperating before returning to the confines of the Vatican and taking up residence in a former convent.

Two weeks after the helicopter ride, Francis was elected. Two years later, the first Latin American Pope is a global superstar, a natural and decisive leader who has been credited with shaking up the Vatican, breathing new life into Catholic teaching and bringing the faithful flooding back into the arms of the Church.

Whether being eclipsed so comprehensively rankles to any extent with Benedict is anyone’s guess. But there has been no hint of that in the handful of public or reported statements to emanate from him over the last two years.

A year ago he was quoted as saying that his decision to step down had been the product of a mystical experience and that Francis’s confident leadership had helped him understand why God had willed him to step aside. -AAP news

Rogue owl attacks

THE northern Dutch town of Purmerend has advised residents to arm themselves with an umbrella when going out at night, after a mysterious spate of bloody rogue owl attacks.

Over the last three weeks a European eagle owl, one of the largest owl species, has silently swooped on dozens of residents of the usually peaceful town, with many victims requiring hospital treatment.

The latest aerial assault saw two members of a local athletics club attacked, with one runner requiring stitches for six head wounds caused by the nocturnal bird of prey’s talons.

The club cancelled all training until further notice.

Residents and workers at Prinsenstichting home for the handicapped were left terrified following at least 15 attacks, spokeswoman Liselotte de Bruijn said.

“During the day there’s no problem, but at night we now only venture outside armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything really, to protect ourselves,” Ms De Bruijn said. -ABC news

MADONNA falls off the stage during her performance at the 2015 Brit Awards Picture: BBC

home & gardening

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

Carvings nice decorations

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

LOOKING for beautifully hand crafted carvings for home decorations or as a gift look no further, local carver from East Sepik Andy Perry is a young talented artist who sells his carvings in front of the Waterfront Food World.

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

The carvings are transported from Kuriva outside of Port Moresby and delivered to the Front of Waterfront Food World were Andy sells the carvings to the public. Chandelle’s made from shells, totem poles, necklaces and carvings of crocodiles, pigs and man can be found. Andy said, “Most

of the carvings are sold to shoppers and the occasional tourist and local business houses.” Interested business houses or people can come down to WaterFront Food World and check out his array of carvings and maybe help the youth make a difference in his life.

Another

DIGICEl Play today awarded one lucky person K2,000 as the jackpot for finding the Digicel Play fugitive. Apini Jones managed to catch the fugitive who happened to be hanging around the Brian Bell Home Centre at Gordons. The clue for today was “Ride on down to your favourite bedding store” Apini was with his elder sister on their way to drop off the kids at school when

‘fugitive’ caught

they were tuned into NauFM and heard the Fugitive clue for the day. He automatically put 2 and 2 together and directed his sister to head to Brian Bell as soon as possible. When they got there, Apini spotted the fugitive lurking in the corner and quickly confronted him and asked “Are you the Digicel Play Fugitive”, in which he was then congratulated and announced as the winner of

a cool K2,000 in cash. He plans on buying a new phone for myself and splitting the prize money with his elder sister, since it was a joint effort from both of them to apprehend the fugitive. The 21 year old is currently unemployed and looking for a job but it looks as though he’ll be suited in a detective role with the way he was able to find the Digicel Play Fugitive today.

Above: ANDY Perry. Right: Andy posing for the camera next to his cravings on display for sale.

Centre: FUGITIVE’S second winner Apini Jones.

More clean power for your home

TRIO Energy is proud to be the first local distributor of world quality solar energy products in Papua New Guinea.

The Trio Energy distributes d.light SOLAR products to light up homes, businesses, schools, health centres and many others.

Not only are these products of reliable quality, they are affordable and versatile for the everyday Papua New Guinean. That meaning these products are essentially vital for the rural mass.

The products that Trio Energy supplies include:

• d.light D20 is perfect for the rural household lighting and comes in as upgradable solar home system with mobile phone charging

• d.light S20 has uses for most village lighting application or is the most versatile family lantern

• d.light S200 is vital for rural phone banking and lighting uses

• d.light S2 is great for night study or reading purposes for rural

PNG students

Trio Energy was formed in 2013 basically as a distributor of Bulk fuel and lubricants.

Come July 2014, the World Bank’s

International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched the Lighting PNG program. This was a result of findings of the report from a detailed market analysis which highlighted that of the 7.2 million people in the country, 6.3 million are not connected to the PNG Power Grid.

Lighting PNG came about as an initiative of IFC and part of the Lighting Asia and Lighting Africa programs all of which come under the World Bank’s Lighting Global initiative to provide energy to the world disadvantaged populations.

According to Managing Director Emmanuel Federice, having been a career man with Australian aid agency AusAID and also working in various government institutions, he saw the need for better service delivery for the rural population.

And clean and cheap energy supply to the rural people is the drive behind Trio Energy

Lighting PNG came in with the objective to light up 1.3m households in PNG and Trio Energy is part of the Lighting PNG program to ensure this takes place.

‘More Power to You’ is the slogan behind Trio Energy.

A MOTHER supports her son in completing his school work at night using d.light’s S20. The lamp costs only K50.60 and will last for 5 years or more. No maintenance and extra costs in batteries, kerosene, candles, firewood, etc. S20 can be used for other lighting needs as well.

NAQIA carries out survey

A SURVEILLANCE team from the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) was in Hela and Southern Highalnds Provinces recently carrying out a 20 days survey for Campylobacter and Samonella.

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis are infectious diseases caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter and Salmonella respectively. Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism. This surveillance program is in collaboration between NAQIA and the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) under a ‘One Health’ approach whereby diseases control at the animal and human interface is a critical focus.

The survey team is currently engaged in the LNG communities in parts of Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. The team will also visit Moro in Kutubu, Ialibu/ Pangia and Kagua districts. The basis of the surveillance work is to establish baseline disease information from which regular monitoring and control can be planned.

Salmonella and campylobacter are usually associated with poultry production and with significant development in this industry in the Hela Province.

NAQIA Acting Managing Director

Joel Alu since taking over in 2014 has been focused and determined to ensure that biosecurity remains NAQIA’s number one priority.

“It is essential that we know the disease status in order to provide appropriate advice for control of the infection in animals and therefore in humans. Samples will be taken to the PNG Institute of Medical Research laboratories in Goroka for testing” Mr Alu said.

He explained that as the country opens up its pristine forests and

water ways for development with the influx of machinery and people into the remotest parts of the country, the challenges to maintain and detect changes in the local animal and flora and fauna is a daunting task.

“NAQIA has identified and mapped the likely biosecurity pathways where exotic pests and diseases of plants and animals can be introduced which if left undetected can affect the livelihood of the people,” he said.

The acting managing director stressed that early detection is the key to effective control and management and it has stepped up its internal quarantine measures including; enhanced surveillance and monitoring in high risk areas, improved coordination within its management structure, better networking with district administrations and the private sector and the improved manipulation and utilization of surveillance data.

It is hoped that risk profi les for the various production systems or regions of the country will then be clearer and mapped.

“Although NAQIA is the veterinary authority, it cannot monitor changes in animal health events on its own,” he said.

Mr Alu said it therefore intends to bring together farmers, private practitioners and the industry that are part of the veterinary service to share information and collaborate on issues of mutual benefit so that animal health event data is effectively collated and documented in a centralized location and processed so that vital information can be easily generated for informed decision making. He added that for all surveillance data to have any meaning the animal population of a given ward or LLG is important and this data is being collected as part of the normal surveillance in those identified areas.

Nature Park to host World Wildlife Day

PORT Moresby Nature Park will be hosting ‘World Wildlife Day’ this coming Saturday, 28 February from 9am to 3pm in what is believed to be the fi rst time the international day will be celebrated in PNG.

Only last year, the United Nations declared 3rd March as World Wildlife Day to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The emphasis of the day is to recognise the importance of the world’s wildlife and the need to protect it, particularly by putting an end to wildlife crimes such as native animal trafficking and urban consumption.

The Nature Park will be fi lled with numerous stalls and displays high-

lighting some of PNG’s key animals and issues faced by these animals as well as include plenty of fun activities for the kids like face painting, jumping castle, animal presentations, Tura the Kokomo games and arts and crafts.

Also to be present at the event will be partners RSPCA (of PNG) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) who will both be featuring displays. Miss PNG, Grace Nugi, WCS PNG’s conservation Ambassador will also be presenting her research on the use of parrot feathers in traditional adornments. Port Moresby Nature Park’s educational officer, Ishimu Oragive Bebe said, World Wildlife Day is shaping up to be great family fun-fi lled day for everyone to come.

ANIMAL Health Cadet Godwin Mongoi explaining to the locals at Komo market, Hela province about the purpose of the Camblyobacter survey in Hela province, while Principle Entomologist Andy Yombo Keponge listens. Picture by: GARY FAGAN

TPA staff visit nature park

PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) staff visited Port Moresby Nature Park to officially open two new attractions, an original Trobriand Island ‘Yam Haus’ and a ‘Bird of Paradise’ exhibit, both made possible via the sponsorship support of PNG TPA.

A traditional Trobriand Island singsing group performed as part of the Yam Haus opening followed by ribbon cutting ceremony for both attractions.

Port Moresby Nature Park’s General Manager, Michelle McGeorge said they are very grateful to PNG TPA for sponsoring these exhibits to enable them to showcase both Papua New Guinea’s rich culture and amazing wildlife not only to their overseas visitors but also to Port Moresby residents as well.”

The Yam Haus exhibit was designed and built by Morgan Kaniyoisi, a Trobriand Islander now residing in Port Moresby.

Mr Kaniyoisi said when building the Yam Haus they only used traditional materials and paint designs and colours to ensure that the Yam Haus was as culturally accurate as possible.

“Our team definitely felt the pressure when building the Yam Haus as we were not only representing our home village, the Trobriand Islands, but also Papua New Guinea as we expect the Yam Haus will generate a lot of interest as a key cultural attraction at the Nature Park during the 2015 South Pacific Games” Mr Kaniyoisi said.

The second attraction also opened was the upgrade and restoration of an old aviary which now includes a full glass-frontage viewing area providing an unobstructed view of the birds for visitors which was provided in-kind by Niugini Glass and Aluminum in addition to PNG TPA’s support.

The new bird exhibit features both Bird of Paradise and fruit doves and it’s hoped that a breeding program for these species could occur in future at the Nature Park.

Alcinda Trawen, Director – Policy and Planning at PNG TPA said they were happy to continue supporting the Nature Park as one of the country’s leading attractions and draw cards for overseas visitors to Port Moresby noting that it was important for PNG to have such attractions.

The Nature Park is also busy with final preparations to host “World Wildlife Day’ this coming Saturday, February 28.

The day will be filled with lots of activities and displays for the whole family, including educational displays on some of PNG’s amazing wildlife, face painting, jumping castle, Miss PNG and Tura the Kokomo guest appearances and animal presentations.

People are encouraged to ‘like’ Port Moresby Nature Park’s facebook page in order to keep informed on upcoming events, including the much anticipated and soon to open ‘Nature Play and Discovery Zone’ children’s playground.

Port Moresby Nature Park is located between UPNG and POM National High School and is open daily from 8am. The Nature Park is an initiative of Governor Powes Parkop and NCDC.

MILAMALA FESTIVAL TROBRIAND dancers performing.

Milamala to boost tourism

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

PAPUA New Guinean wanting to experience the real spirit of island culture and love, Kiriwina Milne Bay is the place to check out for the Milamala Festival.

The Milamala Festival is held annually from the 30th July to the 1st August on the mainland of villages of Kiriwina in the Milne Bay Province. The festival will involve 6 villages and will feature a yam carrying event which will have villages and guests using the stage to dance until the midnight, day 2 will see the storing of the yams, awarding winners of gardening etc; Kula canoe racing; and dancing and on the fi nal day all participating villages will take part in full cultural performances and feasting.

Village livelihood skills will be demonstrated this time and Arts and Crafts available for sale to tourists.

Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Boka Kondra says that tourism in PNG is soon to see an increase in its revenue with the introduction of various tourism projects in the country.

He added, “I will be working closely with the Australian Government who have decided to inject K10million into the Tourism industry here.”

Kondra says the grant is timely and will see more projects completed in a bid to promote tourism and assist the local villagers to bring basic services that have been none existent over the years.

Cruise ship coming soon

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

THE cruise ship, “Sun Princess” will soon lay anchorage in the Port of Alotau come April as part of its cruise destinations.

The 13 day cruise begins in Sydney and slowly travels north to Papua New Guinea visiting the Doini and Kiriwina Islands, Milne Bay Province before travelling to Rabaul in the East New Britain Province and on to the Solomon Islands before it returns to the shores of Australia.

Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Boka Kondra says the introduction of Cruise ships to the country is to promote and share our cultural heritage with the outside world.

He added that Papua New Guinea is rich with different cultures and languages that have been preserved as time has gone by.

“Cruise ships will be bringing in

tourists that will not only boost the economy and the tourism industry but also help the local people to sell their arts and crafts thus generating income,” Kondra said.

“The locals will be able to sell their billums, carvings, jewellery and garden produces to earn a living for them,” he added.

Kondra said that villagers will also be hired to perform traditional dances, and display the different types of tradition costumes of various tribes.

Kondra added that other tourism promoting projects set for this year include the upgrading of the Film Institute in Goroka, Films to be produced in the country and upgrading of the Kokoda Trek.

He said, “These projects are being introduced by the government to help bring basic services to the villagers and also improve their lifestyles.”

Business and employment travel outperform leisure

BUSINESS and employment travel into Papua New Guinea has more than tripled in the last 15 years, outperforming leisure travel, which has see marginal growth over the last five years. Robert Upe reports.

Papua New Guinea tourism was in the world spotlight in 2014, with a startling publicity campaign in New York.

Two PNG tribesmen, in traditional dress, stopped cars and crowds as they wandered the streets of the Big Apple and visited sites such as the Empire State Building.

Additionally, one of the world’s leading travel publishers, Lonely Planet, selected PNG Village Stays on its list of the 26 experiences to do in the world in 2015, and the New York Times named the new Lake Murray Fishing Lodge in its 52 places to go in 2015.

Leisure travel

It’s the type of invaluable publicity that PNG tourism needs. Of PNG’s 182,188 visitors in 2013, only 41,000 were leisure travellers, according to fi gures provided by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA).

‘While leisure tourism numbers are increasing due largely to the growing awareness of Papua New Guinea as a viable tourist destination, business travellers are a more significant source of inbound tourism expenditure.’

While leisure tourism is on the rise, helped along by the ever-popular Kokoda Track and a boom in cruise ship visits, it is business and employment travel that is really sending PNG’s visitor numbers on a trajectory that would please the National Government.

Business and employment travel into the country has more than tripled since about 2002.

But in raw fi gures, leisure travel has only increased by 10,000 people in the past five years.

‘While leisure tourism numbers are increasing due largely to the growing awareness of Papua New Guinea as a viable tourist destination, business travellers are a more significant source of inbound tourism expenditure,’ says Euromonitor International, a London-based market intelligence fi rm.

‘Australia, New Zealand and the US represent key business traveller source markets and mining is the dominant foreign investment activity.’

Aviation students perform first flying practice

PNG Aviation students attending Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) in Cebu, Philippines, experienced a glimpse of their future career as they soared the skies during their first instructional flying practice for their theory of flight subject.

Eighteen Papua New Guineans enrolled at IAU are taking courses in Aviation, Avionics Technology and Aircraft Maintenance Technology.

They started their university studies overseas through the education placement services of Paradise International Education Consultancy (PIEC), a Cebubased organization.

Among these students are Bernadine Buskens, Esther Tenaen, Belinda Koyaiye, Shaddrick Matare, Alexander Lee, Ode Elliot, Nigel Dondo, John Elison, Raphael Mutambek, Sharon Wahamwen, Julius Garana, and Jasper Sawa.

Bernadine, 20, finished Grade 12 from Kopkop College in Port Moresby.

She has a mixed percentage from Central, New Ireland, and Buka Province.

Bernadine started her university career in the Philippines last year. She is an upcoming 2nd-year student in the June 2015 intake.

“Honestly speaking, there can be no greater word to describe the rush of it.

I was scared but so excited and nervous at the same time. Everyone definitely had a great time,” she expressed.

IAU is a leading university in the Philippines for Aviation and Aeronautics. It is also a foreign student-friendly academic institution with international students from Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria and Sudan.

When asked about the pressure during their first flying ex-

perience, Bernadine said, “Our instructor pushed our limits by asking us questions while putting us under negative and positive G forces”.

Being one of the few PNG females in this male-dominated degree program, Bernadine took her dream to fly as she and her instructor started to pilot the aircraft.

“Taking up this course is a big challenge for a girl like me. But if you come from a family with strong women to look up to, like mine, you have to work harder.

For a pilot and aircraft engineer, we have no excuses regardless of gender. The sky is our limit,” she remarked. Interested students who wish to enroll to IAU may now register for the June 2015 intake.

Website: www.paradiseeducation.co.

PRACTICAL TRAINING

SOME of the PNG students enrolled to Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, Philippines.

BERNADINE, together with other PNG students, took a jump shot after their flying experience.

HOHOLA Youth students doing their practical

Glynn: Schools must change

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

MANY schools today have an unsaid policy “meet our requirements or get no service” this is affecting many children in the education system who find themselves out of school due to such policies.

WeCare Foundation

Founder and Patron Father

John Glynn said this during a week long workshop on Out Of School Children held

between different education stakeholders.

The aim of the meeting was to educate policy makers in key education sectors on how best PNG can use its resources to address its policies and achieve the Education For All goals from 2015 onwards

Glynn said, “This may seem harsh but it is reality, many children find themselves out of school because schools will not allow chil-

dren to finish schooling if school policies are not followed.”

He added that such policies include no uniforms, no project fees, transportation and stationary wows,

He added that there have been instances where WeCARe foundation has had to step in and provide assistance to such students who are currently living in extreme poverty.

Fr Glynn said, “In this

country there are many out of school children in today’s society even though there is a free education policy set by the government thus the NGO’s and the Department of Education must work together to address these recurrent issues.”

FR Glynn pictured teaching some of the children in the classroom. Inset: Fr Glynn of WeCARe Foundation

Koloma tackles education issue

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

THERE are a lot of statistics on education that have been complied by the National Statistics office however no one from the Department of Education was interested in this data announced the National Statistician Roko Koloma during a week long workshop on Out Of School Children or OOSC.

The objective of the meeting was to sensitize policy makers in key education sectors on how best PNG can use its resources to address its policies and achieve the EFA goals from 2015 onwards.

Since the 1980’s the National Statistics Office has been collecting data on education from census and various surveys added Koloma.

He said, “When we conduct statistics today it’s about sharing data and information, census has always been there but no one from education was interested in collecting these complied data.”

“Statistics is important for the development of Policies for education and a way forward for the country,” he added.

Koloma said, “When it comes to statistics never say it is out of date, statistics can only be recognised as current, so the data collected from 10,000 schools in the country can be used to assist the education department when during decision making.”

He added that the National Statistics office had a lot of data on Education however due to communication break down between the two departments.

Vital information was not been properly shared and analysed.

Koloma challenged the Department of Education and other None Government Organisations to work together and share one common goal and that is to work with the government to move forward.

He added that 2015 was the year of change for the Papua New Guinea.

electric machine in a factory.

Solution to puzzle SL0861

stars

March 20 - April 19

The first week of March promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable of the year. Its events, spurred by powerful planetary aspects to Uranus, which is about innovation and the unexpected, and is actually positioned in Aries, will introduce amazing ideas or offers, if not transform your life.

April 20 - May 19

Everybody dreams of offers appearing from out of the blue. That’s exactly what you’re dealing with, and it is thrilling. But the chaos being caused by the resulting changes in plans is upsetting. While it’s inevitable, there’s a solution. Let go and live in the moment. Those worries will vanish instantly.

May 21 - June 20

It would appear you’re having a rare sentimental moment, one that’s triggered by the rather dramatic changes taking place. While you’d usually welcome even unsettling developments, you fear they’ll rock arrangements or alliances you care about. They might. If so, you’ll soon discover these are in your best interests.

June 21 - July 21

This hardly seems the ideal moment for a frank discussion about persistent issues. Yet what you learn, both about the actual circumstances in question and the attitude of certain individuals will clear up confusion that’s been as worrying as it’s been persistent. This, in turn, will clarify your own thinking.

July 22 - August 22

Having invested considerable time and thought in making plans, you’ve no intention of changing them. However, judging by the next several days’ unsettling planetary activity, that’s exactly what you’re about to do. Disruptive as this will be, others are involved as well, and together you’ll make the best of this.

August 23 - September 22

Next week brings some of the year’s most spectacular planetary activity. It’s so powerful that every sign will benefit, although in your case it’s likely to be through changes in the lives of others or circumstances around you. If, initially, it seems you’ve been left out, don’t worry. You’ll soon be included.

September 23 - October 22

If asked if you’re stubborn, most would say no. However, those who know you well would differ. In the past they’ve seen you refuse give up. This is once again the case, except this time you’re urged to think carefully whether the issue in question is worth fighting for.

October 23 - November 22

Few things make you more upset than somebody revealing information you regard as strictly private. Before you get angry or cut them out of your life, consider their character. While you assumed their view of what should be kept under wraps is like yours it is, in fact, completely different.

November 23 - December 22

Dealing with dramatic changes in practical matters is one thing. You’re facing these and, while the details are tiresome, you’re making good progress. Similarly, dramatic changes in personal relationships are more complex, as you’re discovering. Invest time in explaining your intentions now. It will prevent time-consuming dramas later.

December 21 - January 19

Kind gestures are like making payments into an interest bearing savings account. Although there’s no immediate payoff, the benefits accumulate. And they have. At least one, if not more, astonishing events are coming your way, and it’s because of what you did ages ago, often things you’d completely forgotten.

January 20 - February 17

Are you on edge or feeling the need for reassurance? Ironically, the shakeups in longstanding plans you’re experiencing, which are behind those feelings, are nothing to worry about. On the contrary, they’re clearing the way for the amazing if unexpected ideas or offers that will be appearing between now and mid-March.

February 18 - March

There is an art to doing nothing. There have been times in your life when you’ve been an expert at this. But recently you’ve been doing too much, and had too little time to relax. Now, with so much in transition, they’ll be periods when you must wait and, indeed, do nothing. You’ll soon remember how.

Madang braces for Hekari showdown

Goralatana ready for TT tournament

By DONALD WILLIE

THE Goralatana Table Tennis Club is ready for the Open Championships this weekend.

About forty children have been practicing underneath the shades of a tree on a proper table.

The club, from the last PNG Games, has the current Male Campion- Gasika Sepa and Female- Geru Lohia who will also be taking part to defend the titles they had acquired in Lae last year.

Club President, Sepa Simoi says that he is confident that his players will do well ion all division.

The categories on offer are both for the female and males in the under 12 division, under 15 division and the under 18 division and junior doubles while the seniors will compete in the open men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles.

The open tournament event will take place on the 28 February and 1st March this weekend at the Port Moresby International School at East Boroko.

Besta ready to face FC POM

SOCCER

MADANG as a province is braving up for the game of the round, when the ‘giants’ the Hekari Unitedtakes on the “home grown little generals”, Madang FC tomorrow at Madang premier soccer oval,Laiwaden.

It’s a game the people of Madang can’t wait to see, a game that was the discussion of dinner tables, fireplaces and bedrooms, a game that occupants of cars parked along the beach side from Tusbab beach to the Kalibobo light house are discussing.

People from as far as Ramu Sugar and the Ramu Valley, the inland of Madang District, the people of Karkar Island and

the North coast of Madang and along the highway to Bogia are already making their way into town, to reside with wantoks so that they can see this one game, this ultimate game between the mighty Hekari and the ‘small boys’ of Madang FC. This is the game that will initiate the Madang FC brigade into manhood. While the hype in Madang is beyond any pre match drama, the eyes of the ‘football eagles’ will be on this game.

The coaches of other NSL teams will for sure be watching this game as Madang FC strives to be up to match with the champion PNG club. This game will decide if and should Madang FC be given the same respect as

Hekari. While many of the spectators will flock the field to see Hekari united, a pride for soccer in PNG, a name synonymous to Manchester United of England, the staunch supporters of Madang Soccer will cheer their own boys, often almost pushing them from the sideline to do a little beat more, and if ‘Manub and Kulubob’ can listen to their piercing voice and their big heart, a win is imminent!

Most of these spectators will never come back to Laiwaden again, not until the next Madang FC and Heakri game, but the regular soccer followers of Madang, will continue to support soccer, a feat that cannot be matched in other provinces in the country.

Madang should be proud of its spectators, who always have a heart for Madang soccer, but do use their heads when they support any ‘foreign’ team playing at Laiwaden. Ask me what is my analysis? With a few cans of the white can, and a soccer ball at my feet, I should think that should Patrick Kawol and Hanson ‘Cripple’ Topio take charge of the midfield, while the captain and grade 11 student of Tusbab Secondary School, Max Sengum and Terence Bandi play in the front and Vanya Malagian and “SK” in the wing, a good game will be displayed for the spectators to enjoy. Madang’s Laiwaden oval will see a capacity crowd, and all

eyes will be on this game and while I am supposed to use my head and think that Hekari is a super team and will for sure win this game, my heart is always for Madang.

My heart is telling me that the ‘small boys’ will be initiated at their home ground tomorrow, and they will want to show their own people that they are not to be considered as boys anymore, and they will not want to let their own people down. .

And for all the people that have travelled in to watch this game, and those who are planning to see this game, including our Governor Jim Kas.

Team PNG’s preparations on target

By KILA NAO PACIFIC GAMES

TEAM PNG is looking forward to finalising their teams to representing their country on home soil for the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

It is going to be a great honor to compete in front of home crowd and those who make the final squad will be looking forward to the opportunity.

This will also be a great challenge with the quality of teams coming PNG’s traditional rivals such as New Caledonia, Tahiti and Fiji will be bringing and all the

current PNG squads are preparing well for the Pacific Games with good progress in their training.

Leading the team to these Games is Team PNG’s general management led by the Chef de Mission, Richard Kassman.

The general management team is responsible for Team PNG and the preparation of its athletes and teams in the lead up to the Games, making sure athletes settle in well in the village and focus on their competition so they can perform at their optimum best.

Mr. Kassman said “We are extremely pleased with the immense support from

Government and the work of the VIEC and the GOC in seeing the facilities ready for the games,”

“The legacy from these Games including the facilities will be felt long after the Games have ended by both those in sport and through sports contribution to developing the nation,”

“Preparing a Team for home games is a mammoth task and we know the National federations, those closely linked to our athletes and the public in general will all contribute to ensuring our athletes are as ready as possible to take on the rest of the Pacific,” .

SOCCER

BESTA United are fired up to give POM FC are hard run in tomorrow’s round six clash of the Telikom National Soccer League (NSL) in Port Moresby.

Besta United, the PNGFA development side under the helm of Coach Bob Moris are keen to get over their drawn match during the mid-week for a win tomorrow.

FC Pom player/coach Reginald Davani needs to push his charges to avoid another bad run at Bomana.

And Davani needs to utilise power striker Neil Hans and Felix Bondaluk to get the results needed.

Both teams share three points apiece on the point’s table and a will be fighting tooth and nail to produce a result.

Besta coach Bob Morris will be banking on his midfield to up the tempo and dictate the clash.

“Yes am banking on my midfielders Nathan James, Papalau Awele to step up in the opening 45 minutes,” Morris yesterday said. Isaac Kamen and Issac Lalo will also carry out their task to set up striker Emmanuel Yawi and Brendon Ben for opportunities.

Morris is adamant his strikers led by skipper Otto Kusuman will match their opponent’s strikers.

“We have established a good game structure and we shouldn’t go wrong. Unless they lose focus then we should give them a good run,” he added.

MADANG key players (from left) Nigel Malagian, Samuel Kini and Vincent Worrio surround Oro’s Kohu Lien in last week’s match.

TEAM Management of fi cials led by Chef de Mission, Richard Kassman (centre), Bomai Ponialou, Vani Nades, Alex Davani, Aaron Alsop, Leith Isaac and Andrew Lepani.

Fun Run to promote vitamins in rice

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

THE 2015 Trukai Fun Run will help to raise awareness about the importance of vitamin enrichment.

As per the Health Department’s requirements, all rice products must be vitamin enriched.

One of Trukai’s focus is also on health and nutrition and the company does that through sports.

The new shirt design will feature a key message to promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Due to the run being held a day after the Pacific Games opening ceremony, in every Fun Run memoriablia a gold medalion will be found in every pack.

This has led to an expected increase in the centres participating in the run and will see an increase in the participants.

Last year the annual event attracted nearly 50,000 participants around the country.

Southern H’lands confident of hosting 2018 PNG Games

PNG GAMES

THE Southern Highlands Provincial Government is being backed by all its five MP’s to push for the hosting of the 2018 PNG Games.

All the MP’s have agreed in principle to support the Bid.

The Southern Highlands 2018 PNG Games Bid Team headed by prominent local businessman Sape Molumi, left for Kimbe yesterday to push their resolve with the PNG Sports Council.

As Kimbe will be playing

host to the next Games in 2016, the three centres pushing to bid for 2018 are heading to West New Britain push their case.

The other two in the race, are prominent centres National Capital District and the Eastern Highlands.

Molumi however said they are optimistic of their chances, despite the two heavies standing ominously in their way.

“We don’t have much to show for at this stage, but if given the chance it will mo-

tivate and invigorate the provincial government and all its stakeholders like never before,” he said.

Molumi said they have the support of the provincial government, PEC and the five MPs. “They have all never been so united in such a way than ever before,” he added.

He said facilities will be build. “There is no reason why we can’t have a cricket oval, aussie rules field or a netball court built with the support we will have and the time frame to do it in.”

“There is a diving force behind this and I tell you this force has no boundaries,” he added.

He said this is a chance for one of the lesser known sporting centres or vastly rural province to benefit and at least share in the spirit of what the Grassroots Games has to offer.

SHP PNG Games Bid CEO Stanley Nandex said the Southern Highlands represents something new and inviting.

“The whole province is tak-

Participants to get medals

PARTICIPANTS in this year’s Trukai Fun Run will receive a 2015 Pacific Games participation gold medal.

This was revealed at the launch of 2015 Trukai Fun Run at the Gateway hotel on Wednesday.

This year’s Fun Run will commemorate the 2015 Pacific Games and will coincide with Games Triathlon Medal Event on the morning of July 5.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for thousands of people across the country to be part of the Games simply by participating in this year’s Fun Run,” said Peter Stewart, Games Organising Committee CEO.

The Fun Run will kick start the day of the Triathlon competition on July 5, with Port Moresby Fun Run participants given the opportunity to watch the event free of charge after the

run. Every gold medal in the Trukai Fun Run T-shirt pack will have the 2015 Pacific Games Logo and Trukai logo printed on either side to mark this historical event.

“We want everyone around the

country to have their own Games experience and have a gold medal to remember that experience,” said Stewart.

He also said the staging of the Fun Run on the same day as the Triathlon event is a great way to gather a home ground crowd to support our PNG athletes as they vie for a medal in the competition.

Trukai Industry is sponsoring a hundred thousand T-shirts in the PNGOC and all Funds raised from the event will to go towards Team PNG preparations for the Pacific Games as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games in September.

The Games Organising Committee will be playing a support role in the annual Fun Run event and will be helping in any way it can to make this event successful yet again.

ing ownership of this as the sporting venues will be spread out in all our five districts. It will be something worth coming for,” he added.

Molumi and Nandex’s comments were backed by SHP provincial sports coordinator Vincent Pesun, advisor community development Kobol Kong and 2014 PNG Games team manager Paul Yakira yesterday.

They all accompanied Molumi plus others to Kimbe yesterday for a meeting slated for tomorrow.

The launching on Wednesday evening saw former Australian Kangaroo centre Brent Tate in attendance as he helped unveil the new shirt that will see a gold medallion on the front of the shirts. Minister for Sports and Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko said that the run has always seen the community come together to have fun.

“This year will be no different to any other years the Fun Run has been held, but it will be special because straight after the run the Triathlon will be held and we will see PNG in action for a medal.”

“The run has always promoted healthy living and it will be a great event,” Tkatchenko added.

The Fun Run auctions will take palce on March 19 in Lae at the Yacht Club and March 21 in Port Moresby at the Royal Papua Yacht Club.

SOUTHERN Highlands bid team

TRUKAI Fun Run medals.

Kyokushin karate is back

PNG head Sensei Walter Schnaubelt reconciling with his former student Sempai Bernard Soari.

KARATE

THE one-popular striving martial art is back on its two feet now with Papua New Guinea head Sensei Walter Schnaubelt reconciling with his former student Sempai Bernard Soari.

Both parted their separate ways on September 12, 2006 due to differences.

This affected the growth of Kyokushin karate in PNG.

Now after nine years, both have returned to bury the hatchet for the good of the sport.

Sensei Schnaubelt yesterday said it is time to move forward and their reconciliation signals their return and a platform for better and bigger things to come.

“Our handshake is evidence enough to say that Kyokushin karate in PNG is back,” he said.

“The past is the past and to signify our reconciliation it will be celebrated in the best way possible,” he added.

He said they have a tournament coming up tentatively set for late April or possible early May at this stage. Once things have firmed an announcement will be made, he added.

Sensei Schnaubelt, as head of PNG MOKKA, said it recognises the Erima Dojo which Sempai Soari has developed and its extended arms.

“All this progress needs a strong team and renewing our ties again is part of the new wave that needs cohesion,” he added.

He reiterated that Sempai Soari and his Dojo is recognised under the International Karate Association (IKA), which PNG MOKKA is an affiliate of.

“It is early days as yet but we have genuine intentions of returning kyokushin karate in PNG back to its former

Ipatas Cup to ignite Koroba

BY ANDREW ALPHONSE RUGBY LEAGUE

At a glance

MARTIAL ART : One popular striving martial art is back on its two feet now.

PARTED: Both parted their separate ways on September 12, 2006 due to differences.

GROWTH : This affected the growth of Kyokushin karate in PNG. Now after nine years, both have returned to bury the hatchet for the good of the sports.

glory,” he added. Sempai Soari said the reconciliation is timely as there is renewed interest following their positive performance at the recent PNG Game and the formation of the Morobe Dojo and the New Ireland Province Karate Federation.

“Our reconciliation should be seen as a positive way forward and I am looking forward to the future it has in store for our students nationwide,” he added.

THE remote Koroba rugby league oval will be packed to capacity as league mad-fans from throughout Hela Province converge for the 2015 Coca Cola Ipatas Cup- Hela Leg.

Six teams have being confirmed to take part in the three day tournament which includes last year’s Hela champions, the Strickland Raiders.

The others are Lewako Rebels from Tari led by former Hela Wigmen players Chris Lai and Paul Ngawe while Hulia Cowboys from the neighboring Komo Margarima district would field a relatively young and untapped talent apart from veteran Thomas Tukupe.

Hosts Koroba have three teams in Nokenis, Sharks and one of Koroba’s oldest clubs making a come-back this season, the Teku Eels.

The match kicks off at 12pm today with the Raiders taking on Eels in the first game followed by Rebels and Sharks while the main game would be between Cowboys and Nokenis. On Saturday, the Nokenis host the Rebels, followed by Eels taking on the Cowboys while Raiders and Sharks lock-horns in the main game. The Sharks will face the Cowboys in the first game on Sunday morning while Rebels and Raiders fight it out in the second game and Nokenis will have no mercy on the inexperienced Teku Eels side in the main game.

The two winners from the pools will then play off in the grand final where champion team from Hela side will get the gold pass for the finals play-offs in Lae against champions from the other zones.

Meanwhile, CCIC CEO Timothy Lepa is working around the clock to bring Patron and Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and Hela’s Anderson Agiru to officiate at the tournament.

PNGSF presents financials

MIRIAM ZARRIGA PACIFIC GAMES

The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) has made an historic move in presenting the financial statements for years 2006-2013.

The move was praised by Auditor General Philip Nauga who said the moment was historical because the Sports Foundation had been written off and couldn’t be helped.

“It’s a good sign that you have done something that is positive, as far as our office is concerned, we are in this together, you have taken the initiative…Sports Foundation is now showing it is a responsible organization,” Nauga said.

“You proved us wrong and now we will do our utmost best to produce the report as part of your requirement,” said Nauga.

PNGSF CEO Peter Tsiamalili Jnr said that the financial statements highlight the high prevalence of irregular and non-compliant transaction under the Financial Management Act, which had indicated the lack of financial and management competency.

“We set out to take stock as a foundation from the start and we have done that.”

“The foundation will inherit K1.2 billion worth of infrastructure Assets after the Pacific Games, and this report is a reminder that we must be accountable as a Government arm in sports, to our key partners and donor agencies for sport development, and sports in the country as a whole.”

The key highlights of the financial performance include: Non-compliance to Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Public service general order

(PSGO)

Operation of 23 Bank accounts that’s has resulted in several unaccounted transactions

Non-Acquittal of AusAid funds, totaling K877, 622.53, under the Sports for Development Initiatives (SFDI) resulted in Foundation settling the full amount from its 2013 Recurrent and PIP cash allocations.

Unprecedented spending of K2 million worth of legal fees between 2012-2013 Tsiamalili said that adequate measures were taken to address the key findings of the report. We have dedicated and committed resource, to ensure the foundation will look to the future Tsiamalili said.“The foundation will now look to the future, and the difference we will make, with stronger processes, procedures, purpose and drive.”

SEMPAI Bernard Soari (left) reunites with head of Kyokushin karate in PNG Sensei Walter Schnaubelt.

Zeming: Last year was good

Trukai backs Hunters

BY PETER SEVARA JR. RUGBY LEAGUE

PAPUA NEW GUINEAS largest rice supplier, Trukai Industries Limited yesterday came on board as a major jersey sponsor to one of PNG’s greatest team in recent history, the SP Hunters.

Without divulging the financials of the three year deal, Trukai Industries CEO Greg Worthington-Eyre said apart from the securing a spot on the new look Hunters jerseys the sponsorship is significant.

“With these types of sponsorship we don’t divulge the financials but it is a significant sponsorship. It’s a worthy deal for a worthy cause in a worthy team” Worthington-Eyre said.

The deal sealed at the Trukai headquarters at Konedobu, Port Moresby was held in tandem with a training run conducted at the Port Moresby National High School field by the rest of the Hunters team on their way to Cairns to play their only trial match against Northern Pride after their initial arrangement with Ipswich jets was cancelled following cyclonic weather last week.

“We have been very impressed with the much improved level of management and discipline the PNGRFL (Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League) has brought to the local rugby league scene and the Hunters

are testament to that regime. We are proud to support an organization that enforces discipline and commitment to health and nutrition and development of its players and its bid for success in the Intrust Super Cup competition” Worthington-Eyre added.

PNGRFL CEO Brad Tassell while thanking Trukai for its faith said it was a privilege for a well renowned company to come on board as one of the major sponsors.

“It’s a fantastic deal. We will proudly display the logo in our seasons matches because this kind of sponsorship will go a long way in giving the future generations of players who come through the ranks a good chance in life” Tassell said.

Tassell also revealed that the new Hunters video and photo sessions in Kokopo due to be featured this weekend at the launch at Gateway Hotel will feature the Hunters promoting the Trukai brand adding that this year’s promotional videos like last year’s is sure to give fans “goosebumps”. Trukai’s association with rugby league, includes sponsoring the North Queensland Cowboys over the past seven years, the Agmark Gurias plus other codes in weightlifting, rugby union, outrigger canoeing and assisting the PNG Olympic Committee in preparing Team PNG for various national and international sporting events for the last 15 years.

BY PETER SEVARA JR. RUGBY LEAGUE

WHILE the Hunters are gearing up for another exciting year of football, star utility Noel Zeming reminisces with a year of experience as a professional rugby league player.

The 25-year-old Goroka Lahanis product made part of an exciting team that had surprises hidden all over the park and their unexpected tactics kept their opponents guessing while they kept scoring.

A year on Zeming describes last season as a good experience. “Last year was a good experience for all of the boys. We are looking forward for this year even though it’s a new team. But we have a couple of boys who have remained from last year. The senior boys, we’re trying to get to the new boys, helping them to get prepared for the new season as well. We look forward for a big season this year, and it will be really exciting one for all of us.”

Recovering from a groin surgery at the end of the 2014 season has seen him off the list for Michael

Marum’s charges to play their only trial match with Northern Pride this weekend but the Hunters kicking ace is sure of seeing game time in the second or third match.

“The boys are really working hard and training, just to get fit and physically in shape, mentally also. The coaches are doing a very good job in getting the boys ready.

It’s really good in camp. The new boys and the old boys are getting together and knowing each other, we are ready for the game this coming weekend.

It will be a good combination of both the new and old. I just came back from a groin surgery so I’m doing my rehabs which are due soon but I can’t wait to get out onto the field for game two or three.”

For all that sparkling action that the PNG fans wanted week in week out, back home, there is a family that is wanting to see them and tell them how great they played but the call of duty has already become a part of them and the former AFL Junior and soccer player is getting a hang of his responsibilities.

“It’s really tough for all of us. Last

year the management was telling us that we have to sacrifice a lot, to leave our family and be in camp fulltime. But I’m getting immune to that now so it’s good. We chose that life to be a professional rugby league player so it all good, it’s really tough for us but we do have some off time to come and see the family.” Back in camp, Zeming says it’s all about getting the little things right and that is basically their focus for the whole season, which will eventually make the big things fall in line.

Asked if he knew what position he would be playing this year he says it doesn’t matter where he plays it’s all about been part of a team.

“I’m just willing to of my part in the field, its being a challenge for us, because the new boys are also good, but we have to step up and maintain our position for this year.”

Hunters fans will be gripping the edges of their seats this year as they can’t wait to see how their favourite players will go this year, but the important thing is for the boys to be competitive.

PNG Hunters are ready

FROM BACKPAGE

“THE Hunters have a huge supporter’s base down in Cairns. We are expecting it to be a very big crowd. The player’s preparations have been good. They are having an early training session at POMIS right now (yesterday), and go to the beach, have a meal and stretches before jumping on the plane for Cairns”

Tassell said getting the boys prepared for this year was really good as they have 15 players from last year creating a solid base.

“After a years experience in the NRL second tier competition (QLD Intrust Super Cup), they know what to expect and are helping the new players, outlining to them what to expect. They are bigger, stronger and faster with Lomai (Timothy) weighing in between a 112-115kg, and now has a lot grit and a lot of pace. The news boys that have come in are also outstanding, like Kato Ottio, Stargroth Amean, Bland Abavu and Atte Bina Wabo. We are looking forward to seeing them on the field, in their new colours, and

see how they perform” While being optimistic of their chances in this year finals Tassell remained certain things will follow through when getting the little things right.

“Every team in the QLD Cup wants to make the finals. There’s up to 13 teams there and we just want to make sure that we do the little things right and Michael (Marum) is really keen to make sure that we improve our away game record as well. Its preparations and making sure that players get put to the beat quickly, then hopefully we can follow up from there”

NOEL Zemming (left) in action for the SP Hunters against the Northern Pride last year.

ONE of the SP Hunters new finds in Bland Abavu at yesterday’s training session in Port Moresby.

New Hunters on show on

BY PETER SEVARA JR. RUGBY LEAGUE

IT’S season on again and SP Hunters will be out in the force ready to take down their prey with a host of experienced and fresh hands. While holding their breath after the cancellation of their only trial match against Ipswich Jets, Hunters CEO Brad Tassell was up on the phone again and Northern Pride, like a fly to gum paper, was quick to catch. “It was unfortunate with Ipswich last week. The match was cancelled because of the cyclone. I made a follow up phone call last week to the Pride and they basically jumped through the phone.”Tassell said. Disappointed that they won’t be having any matches at Cairns this year due to the new draws for 2015 Tassel said the trial was a gift in disguise for the huge Hunters fan base there.

CONTINUED PAGE 99

Kyokushin heads Soari, Schnaubelt reconcile: Page 98 blil P98

SP Hunters’ young gun Kato Ottio ready to step-up against the Northern Pride in Cairns tonight. Ottio is pictured here during a light training run at the POMIS oval yesterday. Inset: Coach Michael Marum addressing the players.

Picture: JOHN PANGKATANA