A DISGRUNTLED contractor engaged by the Education Department in a library project in NCD, David Gali, insists that his contract was legal and he must be paid for work done. He chained himself to the gate of the Department of Education’s head of fi ce at Fincorp Haus, as seen here, to protest a Cabinet decision that his and other contracts were illegal.
STORY > PAGE 2
BY SAMUEL RAITANO
DISGRUNTLED contractors of NCD schools classrooms, libraries and archives are maintaining that the National Executive Council had been misled to refuse payment for their settle-
ment claims amounting to millions of kina.
A large number fronted up at the Education Department head office at Fincorp Haus, Waigani, yesterday and demanded a public audience with Education Minister Nick Kuman and
Education Secretary Michael Tapo to plead their cases.
The two were not immediately available as police moved in to take control of a situation where tensions were rising very quickly.
The unpaid service providers
said they wanted Mr Kuman and Mr Tapo to explain the contents of the National Executive Council’s decision to brand their claims for work done, some dating to 2007, as illegal.
CONTINUED PAGE 2
THURSDAY,
ATOTALof 551 complaints that alleged corruption in Papua New Guinea have been made with Transparency International’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC).
The PNG Chapter of the global corruption watchdog, TIPNG, released the statistics yesterday to the media in Port Moresby. It confirmed that corruption continues to be an issue that Papua New Guineans continue to face.
It is not surprising that complaints relating to corruption within the public administration had the highest at 144, following by land and property (70), banking and finance (65), labour and employment (59) and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (26). The complaints were made at the centre between 2009 and 2014.
With PNG getting a scorecard of 145/175 on Transparency International’s 2014 Corruption Perception Index, there would be concerns that the total number of complaints that were made over the six-year period does not reflect the poor placing that the country recorded last year as well as in previous years. Nevertheless the complaints confirm that Papua New Guineans still feel strongly about corruption and have opted to use this mechanism to report it, in the hope that action will be taken.
Yes “in the hope that action will be taken” is an issue that worries a lot of Papua New Guineans. They have lost hope in the ability of our law enforcement agencies to investigate, charge and successfully prosecute the corrupt and more importantly, reclaim from the corrupt what is rightfully the people’s money or assets. This could be one reason behind the low number of complaints being made with the ALAC since its inception.
It is tragic that every day, somewhere in this country, a Papua New Guinean loses faith in our law enforcement agencies and the justice system when the police say they have no fuel and cannot attend to a crime, a group of drunken soldiers release a comrade from the police cell or a murder suspect is given bail by the courts. The actions of the law enforcement agency officers will have a corrosive effect on institutions such as the ALAC, the Ombudsman Commission, the Royal PNG Constabulary fraud squad and the Office of the Auditor General. Over the long-term the people can lose confidence and turn to crime, giving life to the famous quote “if you can’t beat them join them”! But it is not the end of the road in terms of the fight against corruption. Iconic institutions such as the Ombudsman Commission and the Office of the Auditor General are protected by law. They just need to be given more funding and resources to perform their constitutionally-mandated tasks effectively. A responsible leadership will hear the cries of the forsaken and give more funding to our corruption watchdogs to enable them to do their jobs effectively, those with ulterior motives will do otherwise.
An ALAC can complement the work of the Ombudsman Commissioner or the Office of the Auditor General. Its proponents should consider joint public awareness programs with the government-funded corruption watchdogs to assure ordinary Papua New Guineans that the centre is another vehicle that they could use to report corruption.
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A MAN protesting against the government’s decision not to pay his settlement claims over work done in the national capital district schools decided to place a loop round his neck and chain himself against the gate of the Education head office yesterday morning.
David Gali said he will stay tied to the locked gates
of Education headquarters, demanding the government pay him and other contractors for outstanding claims since 2007. Yesterday the contractors decided to lock the main gates leading to FinCorp Haus and the National Library and Archives as the start of their protest for the NEC to review its decision.
The NEC has reviewed an audit report on contracts
done on education infrastructure in the nation’s capital and advised that the settlement claims, worth millions of kina, was illegal. The message sent hundreds of waiting contractors into frenzy as they locked the gates and blocked off road outside the education offices with boulders while security guards watched helplessly.
Mr Gali had done work on the Hohola public library in
2012 and says the government still owes him K235,000. He said he had lost property, family and money just waiting for these payments. He said the Government should have entertained genuine contractors instead of telling all contractors that all their claims were illegal.
Mr Gali was finally removed from the gate to the Education Department office in the afternoon.
FROM PAGE 1
COMMANDERS from Gordon and Waigani police stations addressed the crowd and told them to wait outside the perimeter fence while they escorted a group of representatives to meet Mr Tapo.
However, they returned a little time later to inform the crowd that the Education Secretary was not in office and that other Education officials had declined to address them.
Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa refused
to mediate, saying it was a matter between the contractors and the Education Department to resolve.
“I’m not a mediator. They said to come and see me but I said I was not in a position to help them and told them not to come and see me,” Supt Bawa said.
He said the police was present at Waigani to ensure law and order was maintained and not to call parties to get together and mediate over a NEC instruction.
He said if there was to be a gathering, he would arrest and charge people for
unlawful gathering as the decision to brand the contracts as illegal was by the NEC and there was no way the police force would be the middleman supporting gatherings.
Cabinet had been adamant that the settlement claims by the contractors, totalling about K86 million, would not be paid because proper procedures under the Public Finance (Management) Act were not followed.
It had also directed Education to ask the police to investigate and prosecute possible cases of collusion
between contractors and public servants.
Late yesterday, the disgruntled contractors said that their complaints over their unpaid claims were not directed to the Government but at the Education Minister and Secretary.
“The secretary and the minister (for Education) seem to have ill-advised the NEC in coming up with the idea that all claims were illegal,” a spokesman for the contractors said.
“Some claims may be illegal or bogus but not all of them are bogus.”
CORRUPTION in public administration topped complaints received by Transparency International PNG in the past five years, its records show.
TIPNG’s registered complaints on corrupt practices in public administration ranged from registry processing, public tender processes, retirement benefits and misappropriation of district funds, TIPNG chairman Lawrence Stephens said yesterday.
“Systemic corruption in public administration must be stamped out and integrity in public processes be restored,” Mr Stephens said.
“The complaints statistics reflect public distrust in state agencies.
“This should be another
The bottom line
TIPNG STATISTICS: Corruption tops complaints received by the organisation ranging from registry processing, public tender processes, retirement benefits and misappropriation of district funds.
COMPLAINTS: Between 2009 and 2014 at least 551 complaints were made.
prompt for various departments in the public sector to apply strict measures to crack down on corruption in public administration.”
Of the given statistics, 364 complaints were laid, of which 144 targeted public administration, 70 related to land and property, 65 to banking and finance, 59 to
labour and employment and 22 to police.
Most complaints in the land and property sector related to land titles and special agriculture business leases although TIPNG noted the recently established help desk set up by the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, aimed at handling land-related complaints.
It said people complained that corrupt people had turned to banks and other financial institutions to legitimise their money, the financial institutions could prevent such practices by identifying the investors and clients as “politically exposed persons” (PEPs).
PEPs are individuals who are, or have been entrusted with high-level positions in public service.
“While banks and other financial intermediaries currently have a duty to take such a step, they often fail to fulfil it. This lack of compliance must end,” the watchdog said.
“Banks and other key factors, from lawyers to accountants, must do their part and comply with their due diligence duties on PEPs.
“At the same time, regulatory authorities must act to close the loopholes and to stop banks from servicing the corrupt.”
At least 551 complaints of corruption were made to Transparency International PNG between 2009 and 2014, in which the advocacy and legal advice centre had recorded and dealt with or referred to appropriate authorities to handle, the watchdog said.
PAPUA New Guineans can do without the bad press in the Philippines. Recently our students made news with their drunken antics. Now a woman who tried to smuggle out her baby makes headlines.
IT IS mindboggling how the mother decided that hiding the two-month-old infant in her rucksack was the best way to get her child out! Local authorities didn’t know until the bag went through the scanner!
CRIME rates down by 60 per cent? That’s the figure being thrown around. But it seems to be more like crime reporting rates have fallen as people gave up reporting as cops aren’t likely to respond.
CAR owners who parked inside fences in the NCD’s Tabari Place are counting their lucky stars. Their vehicles were protected from rocks thrown during a student clash last week.
TAKE away the fence panels and the cars would have been damaged in the melee. Who would have paid for the
damage? Maybe send the invoice to those pushing for city fences to be removed.
TOP marks to news portal website Skerah for publishing pictures of expat children having fun in Port Moresby. The pictures should “neutralise” comments attributed to former Miss PNG Rachel Saperi.
THE pictures, taken during a triathlon event, showed the kids jogging, cycling and swimming. The former beauty queen’s comments on sharks and crocs were over the top, which was disappointing.
THE picture in the Drum yesterday is of a PNG Power transformer and not a standby generator, it appears. But still that doesn’t give an SOE like PPL the right to build over public footpaths.
SWITCH on your TV tonight to Channel Nine’s Footy Show. The PNG-born rugby league superstar James Segeyaro has a one-on-one interview with a reporter on his life in Oz.
PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg
At least 551 complaints were made to Transparency International PNG between 2009 and 2014.
THE high rate of corruption is taking its toll on development progress in rural areas where strategic partners are affected in their support to the government’s development strategy, it has been revealed.
A non-governmental organisation spokesman partnering in the government’s WaSH policy in the Highlands region had expressed concern that practices of corruption in the public service had impacted immensely on the local and international development partners where many of them get to compensate for losses.
While he was not specific on any situations there, he said the problem must be looked at immediately so that more could be done to get the Government’s water development strategy implemented with successful outcomes.
He said many contractors and development partners, both local and international, were doing tremendous jobs in securing water projects in the rural communities but corruption was rife, especially when funds were remitted by the Government.
He said most times this had caused these partners and contractors to operate at awkward positions to meet the demands to install the crucial projects in the areas.
He added that such corrupt practices were cost-
THERE are no processes in place to ensure food industries are selling food that are safe for human consumption, says Terry Daniel, head of food sanitation council secretariat with the Health Department.
The environmental health officers, or food inspectors, employed by municipal authorities are only trained to conduct inspections. Inspections are only checking to ensure the end product is safe but not as safe as it should be.
CONCERN: High rate of corruption is taking a toll on development progress in rural areas where strategic partners are affected in their support to the governments development strategy.
CHALLENGE: Fighting corruption has been one of Governments ongoing challenge where instances of corruption must be reported so that they could be resolved.
ing the Government more in terms of funding and discouraged development progress.
Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Charles Abel who was asked to respond said fighting corruption had been one of Government’s ongoing challenges where instances of corruption must be reported so that they could be resolved with appropriate actions.
The comments were made at a recent meeting held in Port Moresby where implementation challenges were deliberated to identify apparent ways to execute the government’s WaSH program in the country.
By 2030, the WaSH program aims to achieve more than 70 per cent of access to clean, safe and improved water, hygiene and sanitation facilities for people in rural and urban areas of Papua New Guinea.
THE Port Moresby Rotary Club has donated seven bales of mosquito nets to tuberculosis (TB) patients and people living with HIV/AIDS to protect them from malaria.
The donation of five bales last week was given to the Gulf Provincial Government for TB patients in the province
while two bales of nets were given to the Anglicare clinic in Waigani, NCD, for patients with HIV.
Port Moresby Rotary Club president Rio Fiocco when handing the bales to representatives from the respective organisations said that the Port Moresby branch was willing to assist these vulnerable groups with the long lasting insecticide-
treated nets. The Rotary Club’s Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) initiative had recently signed another three-year grant with the Global Fund to continue the distribution of free mosquito nets throughout Papua New Guinea.
During the past five years RAM had distributed nets to all households, resulting in a large drop in the incidence of malaria.
A new approach called food safety management system (FSMS) has been launched to document food safety.
This system embraces what is called hazard analysis critical control point. It will conduct food safety audit periodically and will ensure food industries have daily records and demonstrate that they are consistent with the safe management system.
“This is the only best approach to ensure food for sale is safe for human consumption,” Mr Daniel said.
Mr Daniel added as per the food sanitation regulation 2007, the grace period for all food industries to have documented FSMS had lapsed in 2012.
That meant they had to fully comply with the requirements of the food safety standard (Food Safety Code PNGS 1696:2003).
Mr Daniel said if they did not have FSMS in place and if they were renewing or applying for a licence to trade, they would not be issued licence to operate.
IT was a dream come true for two public servants last week when they graduated with bachelors degree in management at Divine Word University. Alex Gebia – assistant secretary for human resource at Works Department and policemen Senior Constable Richard Kelola of the airborne tactical unit, special services division. They both graduated in the 33rd graduation ceremony of the university. The graduation saw the largest number of graduates in the university’s history. Senior Const Kelola, who funded his own tuition fee, said the Police Department is a big organisation and it can’t afford to fund every officers’ education. “After numerous visits to headquarters requesting for support, I decided to go on my own to achieve my dreams. My word of encouragement to my comrades in the force is to set your own goals and work towards achieving them. That’s the way forward for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.”
BY JACOB POK
THE office of the Public Prosecutor has confirmed receiving files on the referral of Public Service Minister and Abau MP, Sir Puka Temu, and Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister and Kavieng MP, Ben Micah. Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said he would be perusing the files to determine whether there is sufficient, credible and cogent evidence to request the Chief Justice to appoint an appropriate Leadership Tribunal to enquire into the allegations against the two ministers.
WORKS Minister and Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa said he is willing to face the Leadership Tribunal when it is set up.
Mr Awesa said this while pleading his innocence on the allegations levelled against him, adding that he did not want to run a media defence but would be willing to cooperate with the tribunal to clear his name.
He said the allegations of misconduct in office were of events that took place 10 years ago when he was not in office as an MP and related to the erection of a temporary fence approved by the NCDC physical planning board on private land, not a “public access,” as alleged.
The Public Prosecutor on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Justice to appoint a tribunal to enquire into allegations of misconduct against Mr Awesa after he was referred to the Public Prosecutor by the Ombudsman Commission in November last year.
The allegations were that the leader unlawfully engrossed a public easement for personal use and in the process denied the public right of access to the easement, causing disharmony and difficulty.
MICAH: Alleged to have continued to occupy a unit at the Grand Papua hotel at the cost of K3080 a day at the expense of IPBC.
PUKA TEMU: Alleged to have awarded a minor works contract to a company that belonged to his brother and brother-in-law, who are also the directors of the company.
Sir Puka was referred on two allegations. The allegations relates to his actions while being the then Minister for Lands and Physical Planning where he allegedly refuted the Papua New Guinea National Lands Board’s decision to advertise the portions of land located at Section 26, Allotment 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Granville
in Port Moresby to the public and transferred the subject land portions to Kopana Investment Limited.
Sir Puka was also alleged to have failed to declare an interest during the Joint District Planning and Budget Priorities Committee meeting he chaired when a minor works contract (No: PG/ABAU/KUP-03/059) was
awarded to Champion No.44 Limited, a company owned by his brother and brother in-law who were also the directors of the company. He was therefore alleged to have acted contrary to his duties and responsibilities as a leader.
Mr Micah was referred on four allegations. He was alleged to have been interfering with the board of PNG Power Limited (PPL), he allegedly failed to comply with directions of the Ombudsman Commission not to interfere with the control and management of the PPL board. He allegedly publicly denied through a press conference that he had
no knowledge of PPL’s financial crisis despite having been informed by the relevant stakeholders including the then acting chairman of PPL board and Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) managing director. He was also alleged to have been using his office for personal benefit and despite advice from the board, he was alleged to have continued to occupy a unit at the Grand Papua Hotel at the cost of K3,080 a day at the expense of IPBC.
Those allegations were found to be in breach of his duties and responsibilities as a leader and therefore referred accordingly.
He was therefore found to have failed in upholding his duties and responsibilities of office as a leader, as required under Section 27 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on Duties and Responsibilities o f Leadership.
Mr Awesa said he has accepted his referral and would clear his name before the tribunal when it is established.
The law of Papua New Guinea consists of the Constitution, ordinary statutes enacted by Parliament or adopted at Independence from overseas (together with their pendant regulations) and judge-made law.
PAPUA New Guinea will soon have its own disaster risk reduction legislation and a commission set up once the final instruments are in order for Parliament to pass this year.
PNG’s Ambassador to J apan Gabriel Dusava revealed this in his official speech in Japan as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s special envoy to the Third United Nations World conference on disaster risk reduction in Sendai, Japan this week. Before presenting his speech to a packed room,
Mr Dusava announced that he was instructed by the PNG Government to publicly announce that PNG will formally commit and announce its practical contributions of US$2 million later this week towards relief and rehabilitation efforts from Cyclone Pam’s destructions and a further US$1 million to Tuvalu.
“Papua New Guinea has reviewed its Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan, launching it in 2012,” Mr Dusava said.
“Though we have not been
able to meet all the development goals and objectives of the United Nations MDGs and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005 - 2015, we do realise our obligations and so efforts are being made within our capacity and national circumstances to meet all our commitments.
“Papua New Guinea has completed its review of the disaster risk reduction legislation in 2014 and is awaiting its Parliament endorsement this year.
Once Parliament endorses the Bill, a disaster risk
reduction commission will be established to act as a focal point for liaison with sub-regional, regional and international organisations dealing with disaster related issues, Mr Dusava said.
“Furthermore, Papua New Guinea in collaboration with UNDP and UNICEF country office in Port Moresby formulated a disaster risk management policy on education entitled “education in emergency” and has been in effect since 2011,” he said. The policy provides for the development of disaster risk
management curriculum for elementary to secondary schools aimed at developing current and future generations to understand internationally recognized disaster risk management practices.
The initiative was enhanced in 2014 when the University of Papua New Guinea launched a four year program called responsible sustainable development. He said the Vision 2050 aims among other things, at attaining sustainable development through disaster risk reduction.
BY NICOLE JOANNES
THE destruction of Ivule and Tiaru bridges resulted in halting of traffic flow between Bialla and Kimbe, is now having devastating effects in the areas.
In Central Nakanai, the oil palm growers are unable to have their fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) picked up by the Hargy Oil Palm Company, which is based in Bialla.
As a result the provincial disaster committee has resolved to write to New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) and Hargy Oil Palm Limited to come to an agreement to allow NBPOL to assist in picking their FFBs until such time normal flow of traffic is restored.
The committee will write to business houses in Bialla to ship goods from Kimbe to Bialla using the Pacific Development Corporation pontoon at their own costs.
Bialla town has been running low on fuel whilst schools remain closed until such time when the damages are looked into. IVULE bridge after being washed out by heavy floods caused by the wet season.
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Inter Government Relations Leo Dion says PNG has experienced numerous disasters and it was now time to do serious some thinking about establishing a strategic plan to address disasters.
He said this after visiting disaster impacted areas of East New Britain to see the extent of damages to important provincial infrastructure.
Mr Dion inspected the main Kokopo to Rabaul trunk road, the Namanula road leading to Rakunat and Korere and on to Nonga to assess the extent of destruction caused by the recent heavy rains last week which caused flooding and
land slips in many areas of the Gazelle Peninsula.
In a briefing with officials from the provincial government, provincial disaster office and state agencies including PNG Power and Telikom, Mr Dion pledged K1 million each for repair work on the Nonga-Tavui road in Rabaul and Kurakakaul to Ramalmal road in Gazelle district.
Governor Ereman ToBaining Jr, in consultation with Mr Dion, also pledged K1 million for disaster operations in the province.
Mr Dion said a lot of provinces including East and West New Britain Provinces were impacted by the heavy
THE people of West New Britain who have been badly affected by the recent bad weather have acknowledged the relief support provided to them by individuals, civil groups and business organisations.
West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel extended his gratitude to those who responded to his call on the National Government for relief assistance to those affected in his province.
“It is very comforting to see your kind response and indeed it is giving us the strength and courage to stand up and rebuild our lives from what is being destroyed by this very bad weather pattern,” Mr Muthuvel said in a statement yesterday.
The Governor further appealed to kind-hearted people, including faithbased organisations, private organisations, civil groups and individuals who wished to provide assistance to continue to do so.
His office can be contacted on 9835015 or 9835016, or any monetary contributions can be deposited into WNBPG Disaster and Emergency Trust Fund account number 6000355007, Westpac Bank, Kimbe branch.
rain and strong winds.
Mr Dion expressed his sympathy to the people in those impacted provinces who suffered losses of personal properties as a result of the disaster.
He said there were important lessons to be learnt from the disaster, including the quality and standard of engineering and design, which he said must try and compliment nature rather than go against nature, to minimise the impacts of natural calamities.
He told government officers that from the report presented to him, it was apparent that the province was unprepared for disasters.
BY FRANKIY KAPINPAPUA New Guinea lacks a standard operations procedure (SOP) towards disaster preparedness with the current approach being to provide relief only.
International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the disaster arm of the United Nations in PNG, said resilience is the missing link in PNG and is taking the challenge to address with funding assistance from the USA-Aid.
IOM disaster risk reduction program coordinator Simon Kafu said PNG leaders and concerned authorities as well as affected people need not jump up and down when disaster struck.
“We can use less than the millions if communities are prepared through resilience. What the government and concerned authorities lack is a SOP that addresses the disasters before, during and after the catastrophe,” Mr Kafu said. He said with climate change there was no seasonal calendar therefore disaster preparedness was lacking and needing attention. He said preparedness include early warnings, evacuation and food security, among others.
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has expressed serious concern about a media statement by the Opposition Leader Don Polye which, he claimed, cast aspersions on the appointment of a highly respected member of the international business community.
Mr Polye had attacked the appointment of Peter Graham as the new chief
executive officer and managing director of OK Tedi Mining Limited.
Mr O’Neill countered yesterday: “This nonsense reeks of racism and fear from an Opposition Leader who does not understand the world at large.
“Peter Graham has made a much more positive contribution to our country than Mr Polye has ever done.
“Mr Graham has an outstanding reputation in the international resources sector, oversaw the successful construction of the PNG LNG project, and has achieved a great deal for this nation.
“He also has an important role on the Port Moresby General Hospital board that has revived the hospital to deliver much bet-
ter health care to Papua New Guineans,” the Prime Minister said He said while the Government was delivering benefits from the global economy, Mr Polye was trying to exploit negative racial attitudes which would only set the country back.
“This nation can benefit from engaging respected people with decades of
international experience, and we will draw on their knowledge.
“There are certainly foreigners we do not want in this country because they come here to exploit and carpet bag – and those people do not last long before the welcome mat is withdrawn.
“The strength of our nation means that we can choose
which foreigners come and work in PNG. This is just as it is in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom when they appoint foreigners to important positions in their countries.
“Shame on Mr Polye for this sad demonstration of racism, fear and ignorance of the needs of modern PNG in the global economy,” the Prime Minister said.
ARGUMENT: Opposition leader Don Polye blasted Prime Minister Peter O’Neill over the nationalisation program of OK Tedi Mining Limited.
ISSUE: Mr Polye accused the PM of undermining Papua New Guineans and local professionals and experts by awarding senior positions at the mine to foreigners.
RESEARCH: According to research done by the Opposition, Papua New Guinean professionals and technicians are found to be even more capable than the expatriates.
OPPOSITION Leader Don
Polye has branded Prime Minister Peter O’Neill a hypocrite over the “nationalisation program” of OK Tedi Mining Limited. He accused the Prime Minister of undermining Papua New Guineans and local professionals and
experts in the awarding of senior positions at the mine operations in North Fly, Western Province.
Mr Polye said in a statement yesterday that Mr O’Neill was favouring outside business interests ahead of the best interest of the people and the nation.
The Opposition Leader, who had previously worked at OK Tedi as a contractor, said he knew the mine’s operations and it did present a challenging experience for Papua New Guineans but it was not beyond Papua New Guineans to manage.
He said the Opposition had
done its research on Papua New Guineans, professionals and technicians and found they are more capable than expatriates.
Mr Polye maintained that Mr O’Neill should have given the top job of chief executive officer or managing director of OK Tedi Mine
to a Papua New Guinean.
“The truth that the Prime Minister gifted the top job to an expatriate simply means that the PM’s claim to believe in PNG professionals and managers is an absolute falsehood.
“The PM has been nationalising OK Tedi mine, giving
the impression that he has been doing it for Papua New Guineans and for national interest.
“Now the truth reveals that he has been so desperate to serve foreigners and his personal interest, what an embarrassment,” the Opposition Leader said.
PUBLIC Enterprises and State Investment Minister Ben Micah says the Government cannot provide electricity to the five million people of PNG.
He said yesterday that the Government would be promoting public private partnership where international reputable private power providers would be invited to work alongside
PNG Power Limited.
“Let us not call the word privatisation. It must be referred to as public private partnership,” Minister Micah said.
He said more than five million people were still using lamps, candles and fire during the day and night.
“The Government cannot adequately provide power to that 90 per cent of people
in the rural areas. It has to be innovative in providing electricity to the bulk of our rural masses.”
Mr Micah said PNG Power was just a little part of the big electricity requirements needed in the country.
He said private power providers with the capacity and capital would be partnering the Government into the future.
A TWO-day consultative meeting is underway in Port Moresby discussing the promotion and benefits of research.
Mr Micah said the stateof-emergency on electricity services in the country would come to an end as of next week, as he would be bringing a comprehensive report on some of the recommendations made by the advisory committee on all aspects of PNG Power and electricity needs of the country to the National Executive Council.
COASTAL fisheries resources management is important because it is the livelihood of coastal and islands communities, says Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming. He said his main focus was to develop and manage all coastal fisheries in a more
sustainable manner so that coastal and islands communities could distribute their catch with a satisfactory income generation.
“Small-scale fisheries developments targeting rural communities have been hampered in the past, due to lack of appropriate fisheries infrastructure such as jetties, lack
of access to financial services and institutions, and lack of suitable and cheap fishing vessels in order to ensure safety at sea and economic viability.
“Also the lack of market access and facilities including fish market and ice making machines, high cost of fishing operations due to
Papua New Guinea science and technology secretariat, created last year, in the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Science, is hosting the meeting with participants from all national universities.
Discussions yesterday were on sharing ideas,
high cost of fuel, and lack of proper training in the areas of fishing techniques and fish handling or quality control,” Mr Zeming said. He said these issues had already been addressed, development planned and now implementations were taking place at province by province.
partnership and promoting research. Talk also centred on undertaking research and innovative programs and realising the benefits of research in general.
The secretariat CEO, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, admitted that the capacity to contribute to nation building through science, research and technology was poor however, he was adamant his secretariat would bridge this gap.
Polye: The truth is out, PM is desperate to serve foreigners
O’Neill: This nonsense reeks of racism
I’m inclined to change my opinion on Rachel Sapery James as opposed to many who I had earlier supported in bluntly “rubbishing” her. I’m sure she’d want to do the interview all over again. Lesson learnt, I suppose. For her and all you public figures in sport, politics and whatever it is that takes you overseas, don’t get caught up in the hype and misrepresent your country on any form of media. When it ends up on social media, you invite ridicule and the lot to downright “hate” you. For argument’s sake, humans do say things which they later regret. He who has no sin cast the first stone! And while on things making the news, why haven’t we invested in CCTV? The “can kutis” (graffiti artists) spraying that sculpture in JT’s backyard would’ve surely been caught by now. Mani sa weist lo sampla aneseseri samtin stret! Like city rangers, who I believe should now be directed to give a hand at all PNG Games venues that are being constructed. And NCDC, I’m sure you’re old enough to know that filling potholes with builders’ mix doesn’t solve anything! Crikey! It takes us 30 to 45 minutes at peak hour to get home to Tokarara from Vulupindi House, thanks to the craters at the Waigani traffic lights. Please oh! Let’s grow old gracefully, PNG.
BlackMeister
Can the CEO of PMGH explain why there is a restriction on media personnel from taking photographs in and around the Port Moresby General Hospital? This is a public service institution and is not a privately-owned hospital for Grant Muddle to come up with such rubbish restriction. Also the restriction by the guards is just killing off sick patients due to lack of love or morale support from their loved ones. Why the restrictions?
Angry Resident Port MoresbyI AM looking for my brother, Isaac Leo. He is staying at Hanahan village, Autonomous Region of Bougainville. If you know him, would you please pass this phone number to him: 7314 2907.
Darius Leo Port Moresby
THERE is relatively a large body of evidence that demonstrates the direct relationship between good governance and development.
The healthier a country does in measures of good governance, the better it does in terms of development. This stands to reason, if money and resources are siphoned off to low priority areas, being badly spent and badly administered, being awarded to contractors who are not qualified or who do not win through an open tender, the State is going to get less than the best possible result.
Today’s leaders should seriously be concerned about the issues of good governance, deterioration of public infrastructure PNG-wide,
break down in law and order, open defiance of the rule of law as well as the neglected but necessary capacity building needed for the delivery of rudimentary services to the populace.
The wealth received from gold, oil and copper export, and others totalling some billions of kina over the last few years alone have poised PNG for better. But to date there is no indication of that happening. The wealth is not trickling down to the bulk of the masses. There’s no improvement in their lives compounded by appalling lack of services over the years. There is an obvious lack of competent political leadership and commitment over the last few years to combat the
impediments that have congested PNG’s way in laying a solid foundation for the prosperity of future generation.
The political and administrative elite have so far failed to deal with wide-spread corruption that is becoming a major destroyer of our future progress. Efforts to deal with corruption through the political process have been almost non-existent, with only paper thin commitment to meet these serious matters head on.
The simple question is, who will enthusiastically fight corruption if all citizens have been infected by the disease?
Eric Mumson Piuk Port Moresby – EditorBAD things sometimes happen to open doors for good things to come.
But most often we tend to forget that everything happens for a purpose. Legalising death penalty and prostitution may be seen by many as bad, but who knows if God is at work?
This story may help us understand and judge better. A king had a male servant who, under all circumstances, always said to him: “My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes.”
One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king. The servant managed to kill the animal but couldn’t prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and showing no gratitude, the king said: “If God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger.” The servant replied: “Despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything he does
is perfect. He is never wrong.”
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is good and perfect.
Another day, the king left unac-
companied for another hunt. He was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king was missing a finger. He was soon released because he was considered “not complete” to be offered to the gods.
On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said: “My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in prison?” His servant replied: “My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger. Everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong.
“Often we complain about life and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose.”
Wanbel Niape Port MoresbyTHERE are a few things Powes
Parkop should pay attention to before he preaches to all about fences and beautification.
1. Graffiti: I’ve lived in Port Moresby for 20 years. Despite the miles of ugly graffiti all over our capital, I have never seen one person arrested, much less charged and convicted, for graffiti crime. Instead of throwing fencing rules at the victims of graffiti, how about enforcing the rules on perpetrators?
2. Timing: The NCDC fence rules only came into being in the past few years. Owners of fences erected prior to that should be given a reasonable time frame to change their fence.
3. Crime: Crime rates are down 60 per cent ... is the claim. That is in fact crime reporting rates. Most people have simply given up reporting. Police largely do nothing. Crime hasn’t stopped.
4. Costs: How about offering landowners a 20 per cent reduction in land rates for three years if they change their fence?
5. Purpose: Cars inside fences at Tabari place were protected from rock-throwing students last week. Take away those fence panels and the cars get damaged. Who will pay for damages then?
6. Targets: It seems only corporate bodies with a registered address and signage get a notice. What about the
There are allegations about certain policemen and auxiliary policemen in West Sepik Province who have committed criminal offenses, gone to jail and came out, and continue serving in the police force. How can you allow a law enforcement officer to continue serving in the force when he/she has a criminal record? This warrants immediate termination! Maybe these officers are immune to law and justice, and because of such practices, the general public has lost confidence and trust in the police force in Vanimo. Can the provincial police commander throw some light on this?
Law Abiding Citizen
government building at Armit St/ Douglas St? What about the Murray Barracks fence or the abandoned casino fence? Were they served notices as well?
7. Communication: And how does NCDC go about these “notices”? So many times it’s “someone from NCDC told us” and the message is relayed to staff. If this matter is so important, please lift the standard of dialogue. Send a decent letter. Signed and named, so response is possible. Not some anonymous scrawl. Or even better, propose a meeting with the landowner to discuss matters. On site.
Fenced In NCD
Dear Ministers, teachers of the four national high schools are still in shock. Kerevat is questioning how this expatriate came to Sogeri, with no proven track record of classroom performance in PNG, and got promoted in less than 36 months. This is history. Why would the many capable and highly performing teachers on the ground be overlooked? I thought the PNG labour law only allows for a foreigner if there are no capable nationals. A very bad precedent has been set. Appointment processes have been compromised. Please investigate Sogeri.
Wari TisaWhile our citizens are feeling the pinch of high rental rates with no proper water and power supply, some politicians live in hotels at our expense. Ben Micah’s reason to live in Grand Papua Hotel for three months at K3080 per day does not make sense. It is gross abuse of the public office he is occupying. In other words, this is an insult to the struggling public and private sector employees living in settlements
around the country. They are people who have been crying for proper regulated rental rates, proper water and power supply and other basic services, which continue to fall on deaf ears. Just imagine K277,200 for three months for one person, when we have children begging on the streets of Port Moresby everyday, patients dying in our hospitals due to no proper drugs while our rural roads keep on falling apart, forcing people to carry their load long distances. What benefit do the people of Papua New Guinea gain out of this public money spent on Mr Micah’s accommodation expense? Does the member have any home to live in here in Port Moresby? What a mockery for him to claim that he has saved PNG from blackouts when he stepped into PNG Power. I guess the MP is dreaming in his bed in Grand Papua Hotel. There is nothing to prove that Ben Micah is the best performing minister.
Douglas GBeing a leader is not an easy thing, especially when things go wrong and people start criticising you. Unfortunately some people have taken it too personally to call the good Lae MP, Louja Kouza, malicious names which she doesn’t deserve at all. Criticism is good but must be to a certain level and not be driven too personally. Those using social media to direct obscene languages at her should stop. She deserves respect and community support just like all other male and female MPs. Reader
It is indeed shameful to see a very senior minister in the O’Neill Government acting like a child, crying over spilt milk. It is becoming a common norm for leaders and bureaucrats.
K Pilodescribed claims for compensation for loss of property during the Crisis as a “growing industry”. 10 years ago
Enough is enough; we have to get realistic is we have to get realistic now. People cannot go on with this animalistic now. cannot go on with this animalistic attitude People spend huge amounts of attitude. amounts of monies to put up these structures... monies to put up these structures...Sports and Pacific Games Minister Justin Tkatchenko on the vandalism and Paci c Minister Justin Tkatchenko on the vandalism of the swimming statuette of the statuette.
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BY DENYSE KALAUEIGHT people including a child have been reported missing between the waters of Woodlark Island and Misima in the Milne Bay Province for the past two weeks.
A policeman from Misima, Constable Pala Kaki confirmed the report to Post Courier yesterday saying, it has been twelve days since the eight were last seen travelling on a 23 foot dingy and by a 40 horse powered engine.
Constable Kaki said the group were heading to Misima after dropping a friend at Woodlark Island when they were reported missing.
The group’s failure to arrive in the village on the same day raised alarmed among the relatives of the missing eight who knew, the group might have encountered some difficulties with their boat because of the recent wet weather and strong winds.
BY learning to look after our animals and treat them with love and respect, we can engender more love and caring as we grow in age, says Hellen White, author of children’s story books Turtle Magic, Wantok and Crocodile Style.
Hellen White is a member of the RSPCA’s committee and said there is a definite link between cruelty to animals and family violence. “If we teach our children to be kinder to their pets, maybe we can alleviate a lot of the senseless domestic violence,” she says. “Hence the importance of the RSPCA’s humane education program.” Seen here from left are late Bob McTaggart, publisher of ‘Wantok’, the dog and Jacob, and Ms White.
At a glance
TRAGEDY: Eight people are currently missing between the waters of Woodlark Island and Misima in Milne Bay Province.
LAST SEEN: It has been 12 days since the eight were last seen travelling on a 23 foot dingy a 40 horse powered engine.
DESTINATION: The group was heading for Misima after dropping a friend at Woodlark island.
CAUSE: The group encountered difficulties with their boat due to the recent wet weather and strong winds.
ALARM: It came to the villagers and relative’s attention when the groups boat failed to arrive in the village the same day.
WARNING: Villagers living along the coastline and passengers travelling on water are urged to take extra precaution when travelling.
ing dingy and its crew,” Kaki said.
BY SHIRLYN BELDENTHE wet season has not only left a trail of physical destruction on the surface but it is noticeable now that rain water is also affecting the sewerage system underground, especially in the National Capital District.
In Port Moresby alone there are a number of sewerage overspill caused by the continuous downpour where close to 10 service calls were made every day to the NCDC sewerage services and water service provider Eda Ranu for repair and maintenance.
In an interview with the PostCourier yesterday, team leader for sewerage Augi Akaipo said six to 10 calls are made every day in the past four weeks reporting sewerage overflows. He added that the problem is citywide, including settlements, where his team are still attending to. While he could not elaborate
on the number of overflowing sewerage cases in the city he said the problem is widespread.
“The boys are very busy and tied up attending to the problem,” Mr Akaipo said.
“While attending to one location we can get three to four calls, calling for service in some other suburbs. We have organised teams that move to each area once a call comes in.”
Mr Akaipo said that the sewerage overspill normally hits
the city hard every wet season when the rain water gets into the sewerage main hole and causes overspill of sewerage waste onto main roads, residential yards and business premises.
He said rubbish and mud usually get into the sewerage drains, making repairing work hectic because they had to use backhoe machines to dig out debris and pipes are replaced.
Mr Akaipo also stated that despite the busy schedule from service calls his team had been able to identify and monitor sewerage problems in the city.
He is urging residents, schools and business houses in NCD to immediately report any sewerage overspill during this wet season to avoid unhealthy risks.
Mr Akaipo said the water reservoirs are not affected and normal operations transferring water from Mt Eriama to the city is continuing uninterrupted for the residents to use.
The villagers after reporting the matter to the police formed a search and rescue operation to locate the missing eight with the vessel but up to this date there is still no sign of them.
“This is the second week into the search and still there is no sign of the miss-
People living along the coastline of Misima have been urged to assist the police in the search and rescue operation of the missing dingy and its crew members.
The villagers have also been urged to take extra precaution when travelling out in the open sea, he said.
Residents, schools and business houses in NCD must immediately report any sewerage overspill .AUGI AKAIPO Port Moresby
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THE Karimui people of Chimbu Province will take a leading role in the development of their district, starting with a land demarcation and boundary programme.
The program for Karimui district’s 27 local level government ward areas would begin when funding is made available by the National Executive Council.
This was the message delivered to the people by
their prodigal son and first secretary to NCD Governor, Ned Gong, upon returning
to his home village after 20 years.
Mr Gong told the people that he has the support of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and NCD Governor Powes Parkop to roll out a land demarcation and boundary program.
The people put on a spectacular mini cultural show to welcome Powes Parkop’s delegation last Friday.
Mr Gong told the people
that their priority must be given to complete the land demarcation program to identify the boundaries of Karamui district. The least developed district, Karimui, will be the food centre for Papua New Guinea with plans for new roads going into the rich fertile valley. All the 27 ward councils had submitted the list of incorporate land group
(ILG) representatives to Mr Gong.
Community leader
Michael Mamabari said identifying land boundary lines for Karimui district was a major problem the people faced. He said the border issue needs to be sorted out quickly in order for the people to benefit from developers using their land.
THE board and management of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority have come out clear about their side of the story regarding the ongoing impasse at the provincial hospital.
In a joint statement released by board chairman David Wong and Goroka hospital chief executive officer Lillian Siwi, the authority has followed procedures and processes in accordance to the health authority act and public management act to effectively manage and deliver health services to the people of
HEALTH AUTHORITIES
Eastern Highlands Province
Eastern Highlands Province. However the authority was accused of mismanagement, misappropriation and corruption. The misleading allegation led to the continued stop
work which prompted Health Minister Michael Malabag to intervene by sanctioning a committee of inquiry to look into the validity of the allegations and report.
The inquiry found no fault in the board and management of the authority.
Heads of authority said the case of terminated staff was not a term of reference for the Health Minister’s sanctioned investigation team. The terminated staffs have now registered their cases with the Public Services Commission.
PARENTS of students attending Kagua Secondary School in Southern Highlands Province have voluntarily paid K200 as project fees to assist in the improvement of their school infrastructures.
This is despite the Department of Education’s policy warning schools not to collect any fees as the National Government had declared a nation-wide
free-education policy.
School principal Kita Yambi told Post-Courier from Kagua yesterday that Kagua parents had realised the importance of their children’s education and had unanimously agreed to pay K200 as project fees. He said parents saw the need to fix school buildings and with the board of governors, they have voluntarily decided to pay the K200 project fees.
Mr Yambi commended Kagua
parents for taking ownership of their childrens’ education with the initiative, adding that from the project fees collected, the school has just successfully completed the construction of a new double classroom worth over K90,000.
He said this when thanking one of Kagua’s prominent son and lawyer/businessman, Vincent Mirupasi, for donating 10 sets of desktop computers to the school last week.
LEADERS in Tari-Pori district of Hela Province have refuted claims against local MP James Marape for inadequate service delivery and development.
Leaders Ando Ano and former provincial MP for Pori, Hibson Ambulu, had commended Mr Marape for delivering tangible developments in the Pori area.
They said Mr Marape has the heart for Pori people to consider Pori LLG area as part of Tari-Pori to deliver vital services and developments after being neglected by previous MPs.
Mr Ano and Mr Amubulu said neither past MPs nor their district administration since 1975 to 2007 had administered services in Pori sub-district. “If we are wrong critics should name which former MPs may have provided development in Pori LLG area,” the two leaders said.
“However since the election of Marape in 2007, the good MP had walked the length of Pori land, talked and slept and shared in times of sorrow and other social issues in Pori.”
AN outspoken young leader in Western Highlands Province has criticised the police six-months training program.
This follows recent police brutality in Mt Hagen where a middle aged mother and various young men were separately threatened and assaulted at a private property near the Mt Hagen General Hospital over a period of three weeks.
The location near the hospital had been a hot spot for various abuses by police and it was revealed that the health authority board had issued a directive to police to get rid of bettlenut sellers near the hospital.
Several bettlenut sellers, including innocent citizens had fallen victim to the constant raid by the police which had prompted Willie Noki, who had been vocal about various issues in the highlands, to claim that police in general lack discipline to patiently interrogate first before using force and using abusive language to ordinary citizens.
The authority has followed procedures and processes
Identifying land boundary lines was a major problem
MICHAEL MAMABARI Karimui District, Chimbu Province
WAFI landowners in Bulolo district of Morobe Province haveannounced the appointment of their new executives to work in partnership with Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) for the forthcoming Wafi gold mine project. The executives will work in collaboration with MMJV and other stakeholders to ensure that the mining project is a success.
Harry Mangan was elected as the president, Kole Maya John vice president, Eric Ongensa secretary and Johnson Ruben as treasurer by the Yanta people. There are three clans, Yanta and Hengabu in Mumeng LLG and Babuaf in Wampar LLG that will
be working closely with MMJV to support the project until it operates as a gold mine.
Yanta Land-Owner Association newly elected president Mangan told MMJV representatives and Bulolo MP Sam Basil that there are certain things that the executives would like to see happen that must benefit the people.
“Our association would like to see that there is honesty and transparency between us, the land owners and the company, there is stability in the negotiations, better education services to the people and that all our meetings regarding the project are conducted at the Land Owner Association office in the village,” he said.
POLICE in Morobe Province will clamp down on individuals and organisations involved in money deals and misuse of public funds.
Morobe provincial police commander Kaiglo Ambane issued the warning following the arrest of a 70-year-old man from Kambili village of Finschhafen district.
Mr Ambane said the provincial police headquarters fraud squad had completed an investigation into K493,466.79 belonging to the Dregaheffen Secondary School in Finschaffen.
He said police investigations had revealed that 70 year old Musalu Geyamek of Kambili village in the YabimMape LLG of Finschaffen, whilst being the school’s board member, had attained the funds inappropriately.
He said police investigations had revealed that Geyamek had attained half of the sum without proper documentation. Mr Ambane said K246,762.99 was withdrawn last year between February and March.
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BY SHARON LOWA
THIRTY-ONE participants
of a community base training graduated with certificates in home-based malaria training as community based distributors (CBD) last Friday in Kokopo, East New Britain Province.
Speaking at the graduation, Central Gazelle local level government president Elizabeth Malori said the program needs more exposure and support from political leaders in the province.
She said such training is much needed by the people as it trains people to deliver right at the doorsteps of village people with less costs and people do not have to seek treatment.
She urged communities to take ownership of the program as the knowledge and skills gained is important in communities especially in minimizing malaria.
Participants were each given a CBD kit consisting of malarial treatments.
HEALTH facilities at the main referral hospital in New Guinea Islands are not up to the required standards and do not comply with the health standards.
Former chief executive officer (CEO) of West Sepik Hospital and health surveyor, Dr Elias Kapavore raised concerns over the poor status of the health facilities at Nonga Base Hospital in Kokopo, East New Britain province.
Dr Kapavore said Nonga being the referral hospital for New Guinea Islands region lacks specialized equipment and facilities in order to provide efficient and effective health service to the people.
He said such hospital as this should be properly equipped to deal with emergencies and severe health cases where district and provincial hospitals cannot handle.
BY SHARON LOWA
PEOPLE should choose their own leader according to their clear and clean conscience and not be influenced by bribes under any circumstances, says a candidate in the Pomio by-election.
Candidate and former West Sepik hospital chief executive officer Dr Elias Kapavore said people should chose a leader who can sacrifice and deliver their needs.
He urged candidates contesting the by-elections not to influence the people and come clean during the campaign period and let the people choose their own leader.
Dr Kapavore made this appeal recently following an incident that stirred emotions and harsh comments, however the matter was settled at the Kokopo police station in East New Britain Province.
Dr Kapavore who resigned as the chief executive officer of the hospital to contest the by-elections, is very confident in helping his people, saying 40 years on and Pomio is still way back.
He said the people of Pomio should vote for a leader who is willing to sacrifice and deliver to the needs of the people accordingly.
He believes that money is not a problem today, leadership is the problem where good leadership is
CANDIDATES: Candidates contesting have been urged not to influence the people and to come clean during campaign and let the people choose their own leader under no influence, no intimidation and under no bribery.
lacking today and a good leader with clear goal and good vision to determine the way forward.
He said candidates should let the people of Pomio decide under no influence, no intimidation, under no circumstances to be bribed to make their decisions. He said politics today is very dirty and this has killed the people in the district, 90% of the people are living under the poverty line and social and economic indicators are very low.
The people should make no mistake and choose a leader who knows government policies, government procedures and processes, track record of managing government organisations and private company and understand the way forward in terms of the 2050 vision.
Dr Kapavore said it is now time leaders should put God first and the people and this will make a lot of difference for the people.
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THE third Autonomous Bougainville Government election dates have been announced with preparations underway.
Acting Bougainville Electoral Commissioner George Manu made the announcement in a press conference stating that this was what Bougainvilleans have been waiting to hear.
He said the issue of writs will take place on Friday 27th of March and nominations will commence on Monday 30th of March to Wednesday 1st April. The polling period will be from 11th May to 25th May.
Mr Manu said counting will commence immediately after the polling period from 26th May to 7th June and writs to be returned on 8th June.
THE Amiong Cultural Group belting out a welcome kaur tune to welcome Prime Minister Peter
joint supervisory body meeting last week. Picture: JACOB IENU
WOMEN throughout Bougainville
congregated in Buka last week to commemorate International Women’s Day, themed “make It happen”.
Celebrated globally for more than 100 years, the International Women’s Day commemorates women’s achievements across social, economic and political sectors.
In the ABG, this is also a special time as 40 women intend to contest in the 2015 Elections.
The Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) in partnership with the Australian High Commission this year provided this opportunity for women to come together to celebrate women’s efforts throughout the world to improve the lives of their families and communities.
Minister for ABG Health Department and South Bougainville Women’s member, Rose Pihei said Bougainville women have done so much in peace building during and after the 10 year crisis. She said recent achievements were the gender policy and the peace and security policy that also included the office of the status of women.
She added one of the challenges is core representation of women at the highest decision making level and the other is to make policy
directives to create opportunities for women advancement across all sectors.
Mrs Agnes Titus of UN women in Bougainville said there are many challenges that women face but we are doing things the right way as we have the same rights as men in the communities.
Minister Counselor of the Australian High Commission, Mr Rod Hilton said the Australian Government is a proud partner in supporting the work of women in Bougainville as gender is a priority in the aid program internationally and here in the region as 70% of the world’s poor are women and we need to move them out of poverty.
“Australia has provided K5 million to extend and expand the World Banks Inclusive Development and post conflict Bougainville program to women’s groups across the region with training.
“Over the next five years Australia will be investing K30 million for more program to improve gender equality in Bougainville,” Mr Hilton said.
He also stressed that Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop stated that 80 percent of Australia’s aid budget must demonstrate how the aid budget will benefit women and girls.
Mr Manu thanked the Autonomous Bougainville Government for the funding that has already been made available to conduct the elections.
St Peters Lutheran College’s Head of College, Mr Adrian Wiles, invites parents who are interested in educa ng their children in Australia to a end an informa on session at Grand Papua Hotel, Mary Street, Port Morseby. This event at 3pm-5pm on Thursday 26 March will provide an opportunity to meet Mr Wiles and hear about St Peters interna onal educa on.
Places for this event are strictly limited and are available to parents who wish to educate their children aged between 12-16 at an Australian high school. For more informa on and to RSVP for this event please email png@stpeters.qld.edu.au
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INTEROIL Corporation (InterOil) yesterday announced a positive year ending result highlighted with a $290 million (K768.21) full year profit and $715 million (K1.89 billion) liquidity.
Also highlighted in the results were statements affirming the ElkAntelope being potentially the lowest cost new-build LNG project globally, as well as the announcement of the selection of LNG concept before end of the second quarter of this year.
InterOil said the company is well placed for development of the ElkAntelope gas field in Gulf province, potentially the lowest cost newbuild LNG project in the world.
In addition, InterOil said it has identified five targets, outside of
Elk-Antelope, with a potential of 17 trillion cubic feet of gas equivalent (Tcfe) of gross contingent and prospective resource.
InterOil chief executive Michael Hession said the past year has enabled the company to focus on developing Elk-Antelope and maintaining its exploration effort in the
Eastern Papuan Basin, one of the world’s most exciting emerging hydrocarbon Provinces.
“Independent analysis suggests Elk-Antelope is the most competitive new-build LNG project globally, with potential for superior returns even at low commodity prices,” Mr Hession said.
“We are well placed with liquidity of $715 million and an anticipated certification payment to meet our commitments and pursue the LNG project timetable.
“We have had five consecutive discoveries in the Eastern Papuan Basin where we hold a premier license position. We are now planning five wells outside of Elk-Antelope to target about 17 Tcfe of gross contingent and prospective resource; eight Tcfe of which could be targeted by appraisal wells at
Bobcat, Raptor, and Triceratops-3 plus nine Tcfe by exploration wells at Antelope-South and Wahoo,” the CEO added.
In releasing financial results for the fourth quarter and full year to December 31, 2014, the company reported a net income of $289.8 million (K791.52 million), primarily due to completing its Elk-Antelope transaction with Total SA and the sale of its refinery and downstream businesses to Puma Energy.
“We implemented structural changes in 2014, which allowed us to run our business more efficiently while building a strong foundation for growth,” he said.
“These changes included establishing a new management team, renewing our board, strengthening our balance sheet and streamlining our operations.”
NCSL’s manager Member Service and Branch Support Richard Leka introducing the new Online Withdrawal service.
BY DENYSE KALAU
NASFUND Contributors Savings and Loans Society Limited (NCSL) has come up with a smarter way of empowering its customers with the introduction of its new online withdrawal service.
NCSL’s manager Member Service and Branch Support Richard Leka, when officially introducing
the new service in a small but significant ceremony, said the online withdrawal service is an add on function onto the internet banking option on the website which can only be accessed by members of NCSL. He said the introduction of the online withdrawal service is part of NCSL‘s strategy to provide better service to its customers and at the same time it is a way of at-
tracting new members to join their company.
“The new online withdrawal service should not be seen by members as a way for them to withdraw money frequently but rather a way for them to manage their savings as well,” Mr Leka explained.
He said one of the good things about the online withdrawal service is that instead of going through
SYDNEY: The Australian dollar is lower as investors eagerly await any guidance from the US Federal Reserve on when they might starting hiking interest rates.
At 1700 AEDT on Wednesday, the local currency was trading at 76.06 US cents, down from 76.29 cents on Tuesday.
The Australian dollar traded within a narrow range on Wednesday, drifting between 76.02 and 76.32 US cents.
CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner said traders were waiting to see whether the Fed would drop the word `patient’ from its statement, with regards to its timeline for raising rates. “When markets get close to a potentially large event, traders do what they’ve done today, which is basically nothing,” Mr Spooner said.
The market expects the Fed to give some indication on when rate hikes will begin when it releases its statement on Thursday morning, Australian time.
Any surprise would come from the Fed doing nothing, and maintaining the same language, Mr Spooner said. If that happens, the Australian dollar could get a boost.
“The largest scope for movement is a weak US dollar and a stronger Aussie and that would come about if the Fed doesn’t change its guidance,” he said.
At 1700 AEDT, the Australian dollar was at 92.32 Japanese yen, down from 92.61 yen on Tuesday, and at 71.88 euro cents, down from 72.26 euro cents.
normal process of using papers, internet users who are members of NCSL can simply go online with their phones to access the service whether it be withdrawing funds, checking balances, applying for loans, transferring savings, downloading apps, all can be done through the use of the new online service which is very convenient for NCSL members.
Meanwhile, bond futures prices were higher during what was a quiet trading session ahead of the Fed.
“People see tomorrow as reasonably important because they think the Fed will remove the word `patient’ from its statement,” JP Morgan interest rate strategist Sally Auld said.
“People are largely reluctant to do too much today, and very little new risk was added.”
At 1630 AEDT, the March 2015 10-year bond futures contract was trading at 97.550 (implying a yield of 2.450 per cent), up from 97.525 (2.475 per cent) on Tuesday.
Independent analysis suggests Elk-Antelope is the most competitive new-build LNG project globally ...
MICHAEL HESSION InterOil
BAIMURU landowners from the Gulf province are adamant that the Elk-Antelope gas project is developed on site than elsewhere.
Ali Avae Valili president of the Baimuru District Resource Owners Association Inc, the umbrella association of the Baimuru local level government area in Gulf Province, said it is the first time landowners have spoken up with regards to their interests to ensure the ElkAntelope project is developed in their district to make way for the development of the district and Province as a whole.
“In light of the latest changes and before any development site for this project is determined, we are calling on the Government and the project proponents, and make our position known that we want our oil and gas resources developed in Gulf Province and not anywhere else,” Mr Valili said.
“Seeing the current scenario of the PNG LNG Project, where the developments are mostly focused in PapaLealea of Central Province, leaving Southern Highlands, Hela and Kikori of the Gulf Province with very little or no proper development to improve the lives of the landowners there, we will not allow our oil and gas resources to be taken from us.”
He said while his people acknowledge the development aspirations of the Government, he urged Prime Mimnister Peter O’Neill to consider the development plans of the Gulf Provincial Government as equally important for fair development of Gulf Province, in particular
BMOBILE-Vodafone has announced PNG’s weightlifting champion Dika Toua, as the company’s brand ambassador.
GULF PROVINCE: Is located on the southern coast of PNG with its provincial capital being Kerema. The 34,472 km² province is dominated by mountains, lowland river deltas, and grassland flood plains, the Kikori, Turama, Purari and Vailala rivers all meet the sea known as the Papuan Gulf. The province has the second-smallest population with 106,898 inhabitants (2000 census).
BAIMURU LANDOWNERS:
Are adamant that the ElkAntelope gas project is developed in Baimuru and not elsewhere in order to make way for development of the district and the Province as a whole.
REASON: Gulf is the most least developed Province in the country.
CALL: Although acknowledging the development aspirations of the Government they are calling on the Prime Minister to consider the development plans of the Gulf Provincial Government as equally important for fair development of Gulf Province, in particular Baimuru as the resource host district.
Baimuru as the resource host district, to ensure a win-win situation for everyone concerned.
“Gulf is the least developed Province in PNG which past governments have turned a blind eye on, regarding development issues,” Mr Valili said.
He said previous Gulf political leaders who held influential positions had failed miserably to stand up for the development of Gulf Province and its people.
A SURGE of interest from across Papua New Guinea and abroad, and a wave of late submissions has resulted in the extension of deadlines for submissions to the Kumul GameChangers (KGC) Innovative Business Plan Competition to March 31, 2015.
An elated chairperson of the Kumul Foundation Anthony Smare, said the program had to extend not only as a result of the interest but also at the variety across the country and abroad by Papua New Guineans enquiring and seeking to make submissions to the competition.
“The response from across the country has been staggering. It indicates that there are a lot of Papua New Guineans out there with new ideas for how to impact their lives and their communities but haven’t been able to find the support within our business ecosystem, and they see the KGC as the opportunity to finally
get the support they need.”
Since launching in December 2014, nearly 400 registrations have been received through the website www. kumulgamechangers.com.
“The ideas are truly gamechangers and in the last three weeks we have been inundated with email inquiries, phone calls, sms txt messages from a wide range of society in PNG, starting from remote Ningerum in Western Province, all the way to Manus in the North and as far as Australia, by Papua New Guineans working or studying there,” said Mr Smare.
“We even had a year 12 student from Tusbab Sec-
ondary School in Madang call in yesterday!
“This tells you the magnitude and the level of interest that’s been generated by this initiative and credit goes to those entities that have supported this initiative - our supporting partners UNDP, DFAT, Business Council of PNG, Business Coalition for Women, POM Chamber of Commerce and the media, EMTV’s Business PNG, FM 100, 99.5 Rait FM, PNG FM, NBC, PNG Loop and others.”
With 13 days to go, KGC will host one final Kumul hub information night in Port Moresby on Monday March 23, before entering the final stretch.
After March 31, a panel comprising representatives from UNDP, Australian DFAT, leading business organisations and Government including the Kumul Foundation will assess the submissions and announce 40 successful applicants.
According to Group chief executive officer Sundar Ramamurthy, Dika has been chosen because of her determination and integrity in the sport of weightlifting which makes her the best person to represent the company and sum up the company’s aim to be the preferred mobile communications provider in the country.
“Her can-do spirit and integrity makes her a perfect ambassador for BmobileVodafone and the Vodafone brand promise of “power to you” is perfectly embodied in her, as she is a power house to be reckoned with in weight lifting, and one of PNG’s big hopes to bring medals to the country,” he said.
He said the company was pleased to partner with Toua, who is an inspiration to the people, and further represents the upcoming youth of PNG who have aspirations to achieve their best.
Dika who was similarly excited about the new relationship with the company, expressed words of thanks to the staff and management of Bmobile-Vodafone for the opportunity to engage her in the company.
“I’m glad to be part of the team of a company that, like me, wants to give back to the country, and I choose to represent it because I can relate to what they are doing here in PNG, in making it a better country to live in.
“My partnership with the brand will help me not only train better for sport, but also give me the opportunity to travel and speak to the people of PNG about how they could lead better lives, either through my initiatives of training people or through the choices of a better mobile network,” she said.
She further encouraged people to use the means of communication, in this case bmobile, in whichever way to create a better life for themselves.
BMOBILE-Vodafone has announced upgrading of its network which will now allow subscribers in certain parts of the country to enjoy 3G+ speeds (3rd Generation).
Group chief executive officer Sundar Ramamurthy said along with the upgrade and expansion in Port Mo-
resby, Lae, Nadzab, Mt Hagen, Wewak, Simberi, Lorengau and Tarangau, the company also wants to provide mobile value added and entertainment services to its subscribers. While announcing this yesterday, Bmobile-Vodafone also made mention of it’s recently launched new Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT) service called BEATZ.
Chief marketing officer Parag Panjwani explained that CRBT is music callers hear when calling another phone and waiting to be answered, and elaborated that this new service will provide customers with over 20,000 ring tones to choose from.
He said the launch of the Beatz CRBT service, which targets the young population
of PNG, is part of BmobileVodafone’s plan to provide new innovative value added service to its customers and already include buying power credits, topping up online and balance checks for two superannuation funds. He said currently all songs were predominantly international but will soon include local songs and in a way, use this platform to
allow local artists to shine.
According to Panjwani, customers using this service can choose what music their friends or family hears when calling them; gift ring tones to other subscribers or even copy ringtones they hear and like and which have already been chosen by other subscribers.
This service can be accessed
via short message service (sms), mobile phone or using USS dialling through a three step process just by simply dialing or sending an SMS to 133.
Panjwani said BmobileVodafone will be launching more services and products soon, which relate to the needs and wants of PNG customers.
The response from across the country has been staggering
ANTHONYSMARE
Port Moresby
BY JORDAN BUAKAO
PAPUA New Guinea is the largest and most populated Pacific island nation. In 2010, the population was 6.9 million with a growth rate of 2.8 per cent. This figure is expected to double in the next 20 years. Six million people -87 per cent of the population live in rural areas, many considered remote with poor access to roads and basic services.
The responsibility for the provision of water and sewage in urban areas is reasonably clearly defi ned. In the capital, Port Moresby, water and sewage is the responsibility of Eda Ranu, with water and sanitation in other urban areas (88 districts and 20 provincial towns) being the responsibility of PNG Water Board. Both are state owned enterprises (SOE’s) mandated to operate on a commercial basis.
This commercial responsibility means that (perceived) non- com-
mercial peri-urban and settlement areas as well as many districts towns remain unserved. Indeed water PNG is currently operating in only 14 provincial and 6 district towns.
The responsibility for delivering water and sanitation services in the rural areas is less clearly defi ned. Water PNG mandate includes the promotion of water and sanitation on a self-help basis, though there is little evidence of any activity.
The National Health Plan 20112020 designates the Department of Health (DoH) to plan and coordinate safe community water supplies and waste disposal system in rural areas, though this is a departmental document rather than a national government mandate. Whilst the (DoH) has been active in hygiene and sanitation promotion through PHAST, CLTS and the healthy island programme. The (DoH) lack resources to implement WaSH pro-
gramme on any scale. The majority of rural WaSH activities are implemented by non-government organizations and church group but the scale of this is small in relation to the needs.
In the past multi departmental Water and Sanitation Committees (WASCOMs) chaired by the
Department of Health were established at the provincial and national level, to help coordinate and deliver water and sanitation services.
However, these are now largely inactive due to a lack of funding, clear purpose and coordination.
Papua New Guinea is not on
track to meet the government water and sanitation targets detailed in its Strategic Development Plan 2010-2030. This aim for 70 per cent access to water and sanitation nationwide and 100 per cent access in education establishment, by 2030.
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AID is arriving - a ferry full of relief supplies was expected to reach Tanna’s
TANNA, Vanuatu: Aid has started to arrive in some of cyclone-hit Vanuatu’s worst affected islands but others remain isolated, with flights over the Pacific nation showing desperate villagers spelling out the letter “H” for help.
Relief agencies are battling logistical challenges in the sprawling archipelago with a lack of landing strips and deep water ports hampering their efforts to reach distant islands and get a better grip on the full scale of the disaster.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman, who travelled to hard-hit Tanna island on Wednesday on a New Zealand C-130 Hercules, said “it’ll be at least a week or two” before the full impact of Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam is known.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revised its death toll down to 11 from 24 but said it was expected to rise, and
PORT VILA, Vanuatu: The death toll from Cyclone Pam has been revised from 24 to 11 in Vanuatu, the UN says.
The UN lowered its earlier toll, citing figures from the Pacific nation’s disaster office.
“The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has confirmed 11 fatalities in Tafea and Shefa Province, including five from Tanna Island,” the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a revised situation report.
Aerial assessments by military aircraft from New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand found “severe and widespread damage”, it said.
“Damage to infrastructure is limiting
aid groups continued to paint a bleak picture, warning of large-scale property destruction and shortages of food and clean water.
“The yams are rotting in the mud. There’s no more bananas, fruit, anything.
Pam took everything,” said Philemon Mansale, the head of a large family
access to affected populations and hampering movement, however commercial flights have resumed to Port Vila,” said the report.
Radio and telephone contact with outer islands were still to be re-established, with efforts focused on the capital and accessible parts of the main island.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Joe Natuman said it would be “at least a week or two” before authorities had a better sense of the destruction caused by the storm which carried winds of up to 320km/h.
While initial assessors had been able to enter the eastern and western parts of the island chain, northern and southern areas were still largely inaccessible, he said.
from Mele village outside the capital Port Vila on the main island of Efate. The southern islands of Tanna and Erromango bore the full brunt of the cyclone when it barreled in late Friday, and Oxfam, the UN and CARE Australia said assessments showed widespread devastation with entire vil-
lages destroyed. “In Tanna at Lenakel, the provincial capital, 70 per cent of houses are damaged,” CARE’s Tom Perry told AFP from Port Vila.
The whole township of Waesisi on Tanna’s northeast coast was “inundated with water... and 100 per cent damaged”.
PORT VILA, Vanuatu: Relief who have finally reached areas of Vanuatu hardest hit by Cyclone Pam have been greeted with a flattened landscape and widespread destruction. Radio and telephone communications with the outer islands were are beginning to be restored, but remain patchy three days after the monster storm.
Australian military planes that conducted
aerial assessments found significant damage, particularly on Tanna Island, where it appears that more than 80 per cent of homes and other buildings were partially or completely destroyed, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said. Teams of aid workers and government officials carrying medical and sanitation supplies, water, food and shelter equipment managed to land on Tanna and
neighbouring Erromango Island on Tuesday afternoon, said Colin Collett van Rooyen, Vanuatu director for aid group Oxfam.
The two islands were directly in the path of the storm, which packed winds of 270 kilometres per hour when it hit early on Saturday.
The destruction on Tanna was significantly worse than in the nation’s capital of Port Vila, where Pam
destroyed or damaged 90 per cent of the buildings.
Aid agencies are reporting various figures but up to 24 people have been reported dead, including five on Tanna.
The relief teams on Tanna and Erromango were planning to meet with local disaster officials and conduct damage assessments, said Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, disaster coordinator for the UN’s humanitarian affairs.
An AFP photographer on Tanna said the land was stripped bare of coconut trees, wells were swamped by landslides and doctors at the island’s hospital worked on patients while wading through mudcovered floors. “I’ve never seen nothing like it, just the noise and the destruction,” said Australian tourist Andrew Brooks, who felt the cyclone’s fury as he sheltered in a makeshift evacuation centre in a school on Tanna.
“You could see the windit was white with rain and debris. It was horizontal. The wind was screaming, trees were crashing and sheets of tin and debris were flying. People were cowering. It pretty much lasted all day like that.”
Reconnaissance flights by military aircraft from Australia and France “found severe and widespread damage across the larger islands of Tanna, Erromango and Efate,” the UN said.
Vanuatu: Vanuatu’s island of Tanna was once a verdant paradise.
Now it’s now a twisted wasteland of browns and grey, blacked-out and broken by Cyclone Pam.
Islanders are still largely cut off from the world five days after the eye wall of the category five storm shredded through.
The entire landscape has been shorn of trees. Those still standing look like their branches have been sawn off. Eight people have been confirmed dead on Tanna, which has a population of over 35,000, but counting continues.
The official count doesn’t include those killed indirectly by the cyclone.
The most recent was 20-year-old local man Eddy Willy, who died of an unknown illness because both Lenakel and Port Villa hospitals were damaged by the storm and unable to treat him. Family and neighbours from his home village of Ituga wailed, screamed and clawed at his coffin when a ute brought in his body from the airport.
BRISBANE: Far north Queensland residents are busy making disaster preparations as Cyclone Nathan has been upgraded to a category three system ahead of its potentially destructive return.
In a major warning, forecasters have predicted the cyclone could become a category-four storm by the time it makes landfall early Friday - a week after it threatened to hit the far north coast before doubling back to the east.
Cooktown is again in the firing line with current modelling showing Nathan will make landfall in the vicinity of the town, north of Cairns, on Friday morning.
But the Queensland Bureau of Meteorology says this could change and communities from Coen, north of Cooktown, to Cardwell, south of Cairns, are on alert. Cyclone Nathan was upgraded to a category two at 11am AEST.
AN American teenager on trial in Bali over the murder of her mother, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase, has given birth to a baby girl, a prison official says.
Heather Mack, 19, who could be given the death penalty if found guilty of premeditated murder, was taken from Bali’s Kerobokan jail to hospital on Tuesday and gave birth in the evening, said the prison chief Sudjonggo.
The baby is in good health and Mack could return to the jail as early
as Thursday, he said.
“If no family members or other parties can look after the baby, the baby can be cared for in prison until she turns two,” he added.
Prisoners in Kerobokan are reported to live in cramped, filthy conditions, and drug abuse is widespread.
Mack and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Tommy Schaefer, are facing separate trials in Bali over the murder of Sheila von Wiese Mack, 62, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in
the boot of a taxi outside an exclusive resort on Bali in August.
Schaefer, who also faces the death penalty if found guilty, confessed during a court appearance last week to killing his girlfriend’s mother, but argued he acted in self-defence after she attacked him.
Prosecutors previously alleged that Schaefer “blindly hit” Ms Von Wiese Mack with a bowl after she directed a racial slur at him during an argument. – ABC
INDIAN prime minister
Narendra Modi says he is “deeply concerned” about the rape of an elderly nun and the demolition of a church, as protests for the better protection of women and religious minorities erupt across the country.
Mr Modi has asked for an immediate report on the violence over the weekend, according to a statement.
The nun, aged in her 70s, was attacked after a gang of six robbers broke into a convent school near the town of Ranaghat in West Bengal state and ransacked the premises, police said.
One of them then raped the nun. Four of the six suspects were identified via CCTV footage, and nine others were detained for questioning, but no arrests have yet been made. Meanwhile, a separate incident of vandalism of a partly built church in the northern state of Haryana raised further concerns over the safety of religious minorities in India.
There were angry scenes in parliament as legislators demanded to know why the man accused of rape had not been arrested.
Over the last few months, Mr Modi has been criticised for being slow to condemn a series of attacks on Christian institutions, fuelling concern his Hindu nationalist government was failing to rein in Hindu zealots.
Outrage over the rape of the nun has also reignited an angry debate about the safety of women.
The incident also adds to a grim record of sexual assaults in India, which this month banned a documentary about a December 2012 gang-rape that sparked domestic and international outrage.
“We all feel ashamed, never before could this have been imagined, we have never heard of such things,” said Mohammed Salim, a member of the lower house of parliament.
“And despite that, after 70
hours no arrests have been made.” During a debate, members of parliament shouted: “We demand justice.”
Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in West Bengal state on Monday evening, with the disturbance blocking the convoy of the state leader Mamata Banerjee for almost an hour.
Ms Banerjee, a self-styled champion of the poor, was prevented from travelling along a motorway after she visited the nun in hospital.
The crowd surrounded her car with protesters demanding to know why the man suspected of raping the nun had not been caught.
In the past, Ms Banerjee and members of her Trinamool Congress party have attracted criticism for comments on rape deemed insensitive.
Two years ago, Ms Banerjee accused a rape victim of making up the incident and one of her ministers questioned why she was out late drinking at a night club. – ABC
CILACAP, Indonesia: Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are awaiting Jakarta’s next move after another death row convict was granted an appeal that will take months.
Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, who was scheduled to face the firing squad with the Australians, has been granted a judicial review. Supreme Court spokesman, Suhadi, told Kompas newspaper the Filipina’s case “could take months”. Judges would be appointed
this week and the reviews typically take three months. With Jakarta indicating it would prefer to wait all the legal appeals to be heard before killing 10 drug convicts, it means the Bali Nine pair could avoid the firing squad for months. However the attorney-general’s office says it’s also considering taking some prisoners off the execution list pending their appeals, meaning they would execute fewer than 10 in the next round.
Chan and Sukumaran are awaiting the firing squad in lonely conditions on Nusakambangan island, where Jakarta plans to hold the simultaneous executions.
Their families and friends will visit on Wednesday before several head home to Sydney because of the delay. The pair’s lawyers meanwhile are preparing for an appeal in Jakarta administrative court on Thursday against the denial of clemency.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: A former lawyer of a Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA in the hunt for Osama bin Laden has been shot dead in northwest Pakistan, officials say.
Two militant groups claimed responsibility for the attack on Samiullah Afridi, who had faced threats for representing doctor Shakeel Afridi, on the outskirts of Peshawar.
Afridi was returning from a
village, Mathra, when unknown gunmen sprayed bullets on his car, Mian Saeed, a senior police official, told AFP.
“According to initial reports, two gunmen fired on his car from both sides and escaped after the attack,” he said.
Another police official Shakirullah Bangash confirmed the incident and said that a search operation was being conducted in the area
to trace the attackers. Fahad Marwat, a spokesman for the militant group Jandullah called AFP soon after the incident and claimed responsibility for the killing. Later in the evening, a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan also claimed the attack.
“We killed Samiullah Afridi for supporting Shakeel Afridi and will also target other lawyers,” he said.
LOS ANGELES: An eccentric US tycoon has appeared in court, a day after being charged with the killing of a mobster’s daughter in the latest instalment of a bizarre murder mystery laid bare in a TV documentary.
Claiming that “ratings” were driving the prosecution, lawyers for Robert Durst, 71, the descendant of a New York real estate dynasty worth $US4.4 billion ($A5.76 billion), said they want the case to go to trial in California as soon as possible.
But prosecutors in New Orleans, where Durst was arrested on Saturday, are pursuing minor gun and drug charges against him. When police arrived at his room, he was found with a .38 calibre revolver and marijuana, police say.
“We will continue to fight for Bob. We want to get to California as quickly as we can so we can get into a court of law and try this case where it needs to be tried,” said Durst’s lawyer Dick DeGuerin.
“We will contest the facts
there (in California), and we will try to contest them here,” he said, outside court in New Orleans, where the case was adjourned until next Monday.
He added: “We want to contest the basis for his arrest, because I think it’s not based on facts, it’s based on ratings.”
Durst was charged in Los Angeles on Monday with murder over the 2000 death of his close friend Susan Berman.
Durst appeared to make an unwitting confession to a catalogue of killings during filming of the final episode of the acclaimed sixpart HBO documentary The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.
In the finale, broadcast on Sunday, Durst is heard muttering to himself, “What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course” - apparently unaware that a wireless microphone remained switched on while he used the bathroom.
It was not clear if Durst was sincerely confessing.
TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in elections as exit polls put him neckand-neck with centre-left rivals after a late fightback in his bid for a third straight term.
Analysts say Netanyahu is in a stronger position to forge a coalition with his rightwing allies that would extend his six years in power.
Figures published by
public Channel 1 and private Channel 10 television both gave Netanyahu’s Likud and Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union 27 seats each in the 120-member parliament. A third poll by private Channel 2 gave Likud a one-seat lead.
“Against all odds: a great victory for the Likud. A major victory for the people of Israel!” Netanyahu wrote on his Twitter account.
Netanyahu, 65, enjoyed
WASHINGTON: The US Secret Service has requested $US8 million ($A10.47 million) to build a replica of the White House for use in training agents.
a surge after a last-minute appeal to his supporters to go to the polls to counter a high turnout among Arab Israelis.
The main Arab parties took third place with 13 seats after joining forces to challenge the premier, according to exit polls. The outcome of the vote is likely to determine the prospects for new Middle East peace talks and Israel’s troubled relations with its US ally.
Training director Joseph Clancy said the agency’s current rudimentary training facility in Maryland is not to scale, and has “no structures, vehicle gates, lighting, or other aides to enhance the training simulations”. He told a House of Representatives panel reviewing 2016 funding that his agency’s budget “includes $US8 million for the design and initial construction of a White House mock-up” in Maryland that will provide for a “more realistic environment conducive to scenario-based training exercises”. The lack of realistic training facilities is in marked contrast to US military operations, which have used such replicas for years.
The US Navy’s elite SEAL Team 6 constructed and trained in a replica of the Pakistan compound where terror mastermind Osama bin Laden was holed up and eventually killed in 2011, according to a Navy SEAL who wrote a book on the operation.
GOROKA is the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. It is a town of approximately 19,000 people (2000), 1600m above sea level. It has an airport (in the centre of town) and is on the “Highlands Highway”, about 285 kilometres from Lae in Morobe province and 90 kilometres from the nearby town of Kainantu also in the Eastern Highlands.
Other nearby towns include Kundiawa in Simbu Province and Mount Hagen in Western Highlands Province. It has a mild climate, known as a “perpetual Spring”.
It is the home of several national institutions; CRMF Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship, the PNG Institute of Medical Research, the National Film Institute, the Melanesian Institute, the Raun Raun Theatre Company and the University of Goroka. Several NGOs also have presences there, including Oxfam and Save the Children.
The town’s single largest hotel is the Bird of Paradise, owned by the Coral Seas Hotels chain. Goroka is also the home of the Asaro Mudmen.
Coffee is a common cash crop in the area; smaller industries include trout farms, pigs, bee keeping and food gardens (broccoli, kau kau or sweet potato, carrots, ginger and peanuts are examples of produce that grow well here; nearby Bena Bena is known for its pineapples).
Events
In May, Goroka hosts the PNG Coffee Festival.
The renowned Goroka Show is a three-day event that takes place annually around the time of the country’s Independence Day (September 16). The Goroka Show is the oldest show in Papua New Guinea, over 50 years of “keeping the spirit alive”.
Goroka is the birthplace of Premier of Tasmania Lara Giddings and rugby league players Stanley Gene and James Segeyaro.
PACIFIC Gardens Hotel in Goroka is located in the beautiful Pacific Gardens Estate. A gated, secure park like setting on over 20 acres of land with walking trails, BBQ area and a playground and a meandering stream giving Pacific Gardens Hotel a quiet peaceful atmosphere.
The hotel offers visitors the newest and best quality accommodation in Goroka ranging from Standard to premier rooms and self contained Suites.
The A-La-Carte restaurant has a delicious range of Western and Chinese food as well as pizza available.
A new conference room has been ex-
tended making it the most modern in Goroka catering up to 175 guests. When considering your next trip or conference to Goroka, please stay at what is rated by the Trip Advisor as the leading Hotel in Goroka
BY DIANNE WAKETSI
ESTABLISHED in 1964, Goroka Coffee Roasters has been operating and serving the people of Eastern Highlands Province for 51 years.
Major exporters of 30 per cent of Goroka Coffee Roasters production of coffee is sent overseas and 70 per cent to the local market, Goroka Coffee Roasters have placed Eastern Highlands on the map on a global scale.
Locally grown in lush, green, untouched valleys of Goroka, these succulent coffee cherries are hand
picked by local farmers, dried and ground to produce the rich taste of Eastern Highlands coffee.
Goroka Coffee Roasters packages and labels the different variety of coffee to suit the individuals taste, as the organic Paradise Gold, the best selling Highlands Blue, the real taste of local coffee as Premium Estate and the much loved Espresso; these truly are the taste of Paradise.
So next time your in the Eastern Highlands either as a tourist or on business remember to grab your favourite Goroka Coffee Roasters brand for the true taste of Paradise.
BY DIANNE WAKETSI
GOROKA Corner Service Station is proud to employ and sponsor Jack Frank, the winner of the power lifting competition in the 92kg division held in Port Moresby recently revealed Manager Ian Matthews.
“With sports comes education and here at Goroka Corner Service Station we are all about development and helping the community and one such way is to help young Frank as he prepares for the upcoming Pacific Games,” said Matthews.
“Young Frank is a talented sportsman from Hela Province but lives in Eastern Highlands, and with the assistance we are providing we see that he plans to go a long way with the power lifting sport,” said Mathews.
He added that we hope for the best for Frank at the Pacific Games and hopes he can make Eastern Highlands and Goroka Corner Service Station proud.
Matthews added that Goroka Corner Service Station currently employs 15 people including young Frank and is proud to service the populace of Eastern Highlands especially the local PMV’s and truckies.
PNG’s only rural based credit union, the Alekano Savings and Loan Society in Eastern Highlands Province is getting into value chain financing in agriculture says general manager, Reuben Elijah.
Do we have the capacity to do this?
Firstly, we are committed and have the support of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government. The Eastern Highlands Women Credit Scheme with annual budgetary allocations from the provincial government which we manage currently gives us the platform upon which the concept of value chain fi nancing can be experimented. We are truly committed at every level to working in rural areas and fi nancing small producers. Secondly, we have the administrative and technological capacity to engage in value chain fi nance. We are also willing to hire the necessary personnel to implement the methodology.
We are linking ourselves with strategic development partners including the provincial government and individual entrepreneurs. In this value chain fi nancing concept, the women are the primary producers. They will obtain cheap credit from the fi nancier – Alekano Savings and Loan Society at 6 per cent per annum. The buyer provides the market (including transport and storage) and buys the primary produce from the women and loan repayment is deducted by the marketer who pays the loan on behalf of the producer. The producer doesn’t have to worry about going to repay the loan as that transaction is done
by the buyer or marketer.
This mutual relationship will defi nitely promote wealth creation for the women as primary producers and have spin-off benefits to the marketer, the fi nancier will have a better managed loan portfolio enhancing its sustainability to continue the fi nancing responsibility, and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government as the donor will improve its rural development profi le.
We commend both the Governor of Eastern Highlands Julie Soso and her executive officer Steven Rere for their vision in promoting entrepreneurial development of the rural women of the province through value chain fi nancing concept and for taking the risk to try out a concept that may bring new sense of hope for the family households in Eastern Highlands Province.
We wish to also replicate this concept under other funding arrangements such as IFAD and we are looking at extending to network of farmers cooperatives or groups in the lower highlands region especially neighbouring province of Simbu, provided that we are successful in being appointed as recipients of donor funding from IFAD after their high profi le visit in July this year, Mr Elijah said.
The Society is also being assisted by the PNG/ADB Microfi nance Expansion Project in technical capacity building and research has been carried out for a school saver product that is market driven and that can sustain the Society’s School Banking Program.
PNG’s only rural based credit union, the Alekano Savings and Loan Society in Eastern Highlands Province is getting into value chain financing in agriculture says general manager, Reuben Elijah.
Do we have the capacity to do this?
Firstly, we are committed and have the support of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government. The Eastern Highlands Women Credit Scheme with annual budgetary allocations from the provincial government which we manage currently gives us the platform upon which the concept of value chain fi nancing can be experimented. We are truly committed at every level to working in rural areas and fi nancing small producers. Secondly, we have the administrative and technological capacity to engage in value chain fi nance. We are also willing to hire the necessary personnel to implement the methodology.
We are linking ourselves with strategic development partners including the provincial government and individual entrepreneurs. In this value chain fi nancing concept, the women are the primary producers. They will obtain cheap credit from the fi nancier – Alekano Savings and Loan Society at 6 per cent per annum. The buyer provides the market (including transport and storage) and buys the primary produce from the women and loan repayment is deducted by the marketer who pays the loan on behalf of the producer. The producer doesn’t have to worry about going to repay the loan as that transaction is done
by the buyer or marketer.
This mutual relationship will defi nitely promote wealth creation for the women as primary producers and have spin-off benefits to the marketer, the fi nancier will have a better managed loan portfolio enhancing its sustainability to continue the fi nancing responsibility, and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government as the donor will improve its rural development profi le.
We commend both the Governor of Eastern Highlands Julie Soso and her executive officer Steven Rere for their vision in promoting entrepreneurial development of the rural women of the province through value chain fi nancing concept and for taking the risk to try out a concept that may bring new sense of hope for the family households in Eastern Highlands Province.
We wish to also replicate this concept under other funding arrangements such as IFAD and we are looking at extending to network of farmers cooperatives or groups in the lower highlands region especially neighbouring province of Simbu, provided that we are successful in being appointed as recipients of donor funding from IFAD after their high profi le visit in July this year, Mr Elijah said.
The Society is also being assisted by the PNG/ADB Microfi nance Expansion Project in technical capacity building and research has been carried out for a school saver product that is market driven and that can sustain the Society’s School Banking Program.
THE GK Lodge was established in 2008 starting off small and offering only rooms for its guests.
Come 2011, the lodge began a major upgrade and built a new wing to include modern facilities which include a Conference area and Restaurant.
There are now 28 rooms at the two-level lodge with wing 1 consisting of standard rooms and wing 2 the premium rooms.
The restaurant serves various dishes for its guests and has certified chefs preparing these. The conference facility can cater for 50 people.
It is almost a year now for GK Lodge after the new wing was opened.
The lodge is situated in an ideal location in the heart of Goroka town and just five minutes walk to and from the Goroka airport.
You can expect the best in service and a relaxing stay since lodge management strictly implement an atmosphere that is free from alcohol or betelnut and smoking.
Call in and check out the GK Lodge in your next stop-over business trip or a short holiday in the Eastern Highlands Province.
AS YOU set foot in Apo country Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, friendly faces and the hard working staff of one of the retailers in town, One 2 3 Limited in Goroka, will always give you a friendly reception and the service you get is satisfactory.
The company is newly established but very popular in Goroka for its exceptional customer service.
The business provides wholesale goods, groceries, mini kai-bar serv-
ices, mini supermarket, and also supplies fresh fish from the coast through out the Highlands region. The Operations Manager Fano Karani says the business plans to provide similar services to the other eight districts of Eastern Highlands Province and work on this is what the company is focusing on.
One 2 3 Limited is proud to be a part of the Goroka Business Supplement issue.
Advertising: 309 1113 or email ksibona@spp.com.pg
Editorial: 309 1107 or email kialaw@spp.com.pg
SET on 80 acres your own PRIVATE Resort Hide away, 5 minutes to Cairns CBD, 10 minutes to Cairns International Airport, Just 120minutes to Jackson, Port Morseby Airport. Current owner will lease for long or short term rental at $12,000AUD per month. House area: under roof over 1,000m² of 2 storey luxury includes full size Tennis Court. Awesome views all over Cairns City & Beyond. Land can be subdivided into 10 acreage blocks with council approval down the track and still kepp the main house serperate for yourself to come and go.
Home consists of 7 Car Garage + another 4 under cover and Porte Cochere, separate Billiard room, Games room, separate sitting room/office, living room, vacuum aid, wine cellar, valet intercom system. 6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, extensive open large kitchen, 100,000 Litre water tank, private & secure with 1 kn long driveway, tennis court, waterfall swimming pool & spa and a deck for viewing the City of Cairns to Green Island Ocean Views. Private driveway gates to paradise, full security, extensive landscaped grounds with irrigation throughout the site and your own Dam for Barramundi.
Robert is taking expressions of interest either to LEASE or SALE. Robert will help you organise finance with Australian Banks. Call Robert Direct for more information: +61 0418 772 221 or visit www. australianfirstrealty.com.au for more photos & inspection times.
Safe & Secure with Robert Smith AFR Director & Founder – Money While You Sleep - wants to Build YOUR DREAM HOME in Cairns. 4 Air-conditioned bedrooms, master bedroom with ensuite & walk in wardrobe, media/theatre room & fully landscaped - built in less than 4 months by our Builder.
House packages stages 1,2 & 3 have all sold out. Now the Final Stages 4 & 5 are selling fast! Do yourself a favour, Present to the family and create wealth for future education. Buy your house & land package today with AFR. Close to Schools, Hospitals, James Cook University and only 7 minutes to Cairns City Centre. One Stop Shop, Call or Email Robert Smith AFR Founder for an information pack. Be Very Quick Wantoks to build dreams. New FIRB Rules applying soon. Be Quick. $1,000AUD deposit and you choose your land and house plan, we then open up an Australian Bank
account. You are in control, always 100% transparent & confidential. Our very successful New House & Land Package’s Plans are available with a total input of K250,000 PGK. That is all you need to Invest in Cairns. The Market is on its way up.
Australian First Realty is a One-Stop-Shop be it Wealth Creation for future and the education of your children or New House & Land Package. Either FIRB approved commercial properties or acreage subdivisions we do it all with our network of introducing you to our Builders, Lawyers, Bankers, Immigration and opening up Australian Bank Account and enrolling children in School. Cairns is Port Cairns has hit the jackpot with future $8.5 billion Aquis Resort planning to go ahead in the region. AFR Founder Robert Smith says get ready to make money in Cairns but be quick, very quick. Build your dream home in Cairns at Redlynch Gateway Central, across the road from Shopping Centre, Sports Centre, Public Transport and minutes away from public & private schools, beaches and Cairns C.B.D.
66 new houses are being built, half already SOLD and another 10 taken with deposits. K250,000 to make your dream come true. Redlynch land now selling stage 2: $1,000 AUD Deposit. With 30 years practice, check & see your agent has experience!
With Australian First Realty you will be the Winner. Our AFR Client P.N.G nationals Testimonials to Back up our AFR History last 30 years in PNG. The Guru of Real Estate Donald Trump U.S.A told Robert “Money while you sleep”. AFR will get you on the right track as Robert has been travelling to PNG centres over many years helping wantoks ONE – STOP – SHOP. Create wealth for future generations – Most of all Education.
Contact us now for more Info on gathering Tools for your Success.
Contact Robert Direct: Best email: admin@australianfirstrealty.com.au
Best Office # +617 4031-1770
Mobile +614 1877 2221
A.F.R. H.Q. 171 Bunda St CNS Opp Rlwy – Next time you are in Cairns Call in and Discuss your Future Wealth Creation over PNG coffee with Robert Direct: 72173866 – The Founder - Money While You Sleep.
CAYMAN Properties partners with Mortgage Choice in Paradise Point to specialise in funding Australian property purchases for International buyers
Cayman Properties is delighted to announce a special partnership with a well-respected Australian Mortgage Broker Group, Mortgage Choice in Paradise Point who are highly experienced in assisting international investors and migrants to purchase investment properties in Australia. Mortgage Choice together with Cayman Properties have helped a great number of PNG Investors purchase property on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, in Cairns and Queensland
generally. Mortgage Choice understands how to successfully help you buy and finance property in Australia. Whether it be for your children’s education, your migration aspirations or general property investment, Mortgage Choice in Paradise Point will guide you and your friends from overseas through the purchase process. Australia has quite clear and well managed requirements when it comes to property purchase by overseas buyers.
These requirements are overseen by the Foreign Investment & Review Board (FIRB), who control the type and levels of property purchase by international buyers.
Mortgage Choice in Paradise Point work with a number of Australian lenders that are accepting of overseas buyers and will actively assist in your lending needs. Once we understand your needs, we can match your situation to an appropriate lender.
Mortgage Choice Paradise Point also work to ensure that you are paying the lowest fees possible throughout the life of your loan.
So what a perfect partnership with Cayman Properties with Cayman sourcing all the suitable new homes, apartments and townhouses close to schools and facilities. Cayman Properties has the best value and best quality new properties built by only reputable builders in Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville. Cayman Properties can even help with managing your home for rental if you aren’t ready to live in yet.
Where can you find more information on new homes and finance? Meet Angela Vinnicombe Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 March by appointment at Crowne Plaza 7310 6535 or angela@caymanproperties.com.au
If you can’t make it in person to view a range of our properties available for investment go to www.caymanproperties.com.au or view with our online PNG marketing partner www.hausples.com.pg For finance queries www. mortgagechoice.com.au/paradisepoint1 Email us – simon.vinnicombe@ mortgagechoice.com.au Call us - +61 755 015 145
Located on Henao Drive is a fully furnished 2 bedroom split level unit leasing for K1000 per week. The unit has 2 designated car parks with additional parking spaces within the yard. It has been recently renovated and has airconditioning in the master bedroom, ceiling fans, spacious living area, a private back yard and 24 hour security.
For further information and inspections, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Oliver email us on leasing@dac.com.pg. You can also visit our website on www.dac.com.pg to view similar properties we have available.
Situated on higher grounds of Chesterfield, downtown, is the gated Ela Vista compound with available apartments overlooking a magnificent sea view. The apartments range from a single bedroom to 4 bedrooms and are all fully furnished with a spacious living area, marble kitchens, air conditioning, Jacuzzi bathrooms, and access to swimming pools and fitness gyms. Being in a safe, quiet and friendly
environment, the property is ideal for singles and families and is conveniently near public transport and a few minutes away from shopping centres.
For further information and inspections, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Skelwin Ligo or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg. You can also visit our website on www.dac.com. pg to view similar properties we have available.
LOCATED in the Islander Village in Waigani is a split level townhouse going for K4000 per week. The property has 3 bedrooms with the master ensuite, spacious living area, a carport, air conditioning, 24 hour security and has back up water and power. Being in a safe, quiet and friendly environment, the property is ideal for a family and is conveniently near public transport and a few minutes away from shopping centres and markets. For further information and inspections, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Henry or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg. You can also visit our website on www.dac.com.pg to view similar properties we have available.
The executive, split level, solid structure, newly renovated, fully furnished, 24 hours security and well gated unit is NOW AVAILABLE for SALE at K1.45 million. It is located at Gerehu Stg 4 and only 2 minutes walking distance to the main bus stop, 10 minutes to Gerehu market and s-*hopping centres etc.
The units are corporate tenanted at K1000 per week each. Each unit has 3 bedrooms upstairs including ensuit and a bedroom downstairs, 2 toilet showers upostairs and a toilet showner downstairs, kitchen and lounge area with a laundary area all downstairs. There is an internal spiral stairways accessing attractive balcony located upstairs.
Our sale price is some 20% less than the value of the property as done by the pannel of valuers sponsored by the ANZ bank in 2014. Hurry now and make an offer.
Digicel: 70834925
1
for
We have just listed a Commercial Property with two entrance driveways for sale. It is situated on a generous 4,000m2 in a cul-de-sac of the Industrial area of 6 Mile and the property consists of:
•one large shed with mezzanine and offices
•a main office building with warehouse area •residential housing consisting of:
a) 1 x 3brm unit
b) 1 x 2brm unit
c) 2 x bedsitters
There is also Building Board Approval recently issued for a Proposed construction of a threestorey mixed use Commercial Office Building.
Selling Price: K12 million (neg)
Please contact Ruby Oala at Strickland Real Estate on 3200944 or mobile 76886739 for an inspection now or email roala@sre.com for more information.
SITUATED on Kitogara Street, Gordons 5 is a split level townhouse leasing for K2500 per week. The property has 3 bedrooms with the master ensuite, spacious living area, 2 car parks, air conditioning, 24 hour security and has back up water and power. Being in a safe, quiet and friendly environment, the property is ideal for a family and is conveniently near public transport and a few minutes away from shopping centres and markets.
For further information and inspections, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Henry or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg. You can also visit our website on www.dac.com.pg to view similar properties we have available.
POSITIONED in the heart of Gordons, set on 1,155sqm, this prime block of units is a compound unlike any other available in the area.
Comprising of two blocks of 9 x 2-bedroom split-level units, back-up water and pump, air-conditioning through-out, separate drive-way for each unit and used for staff accommodation, this compound is now listed for sale.
A block of 5 units has a frontage off Boroko Drive and the other block of 4 units has the frontage off Henao Drive. The compound is ideally located close to all amenities, the Reverand Sioni Kami church and all schools, Jack Pidik Park etc.
Sale Price: K4.5 million (neg)
Please contact Ruby Oala at Strickland Real Estate on phone 3200944 or mobile 76886739 or email roala@sre.com.pg to arrange an inspection.
BOROKO RESIDENTIAL
– Sect 8, Lot 16, Moale Place, (Opposite Coronation Primary School): K2500 pwk, negot: - 8 x 4brm t/hses, as new, ff, sf, haus-win, barbeque, trampoline, 24-hr guard; secluded and just a stroll away from all amenities; schools, shopping mall, bus stops and parks. Reserve now and avoid school traffic dramas!
In an exclusive Port Moresby suburb, crested on a hill top overlooking Fairfax Harbour is an Executive Standalone House, consisting of three bedrooms. Recently renovated, effortless craftsman ship has been employed to produce the best quality internal finishes. Ideal for those who have live in housekeepers, The property also has a fully equipped granny flat downstairs, to ensure that your household staff have enough comfort of their own to ensure that your home to be, is well managed
and maintained.
This property has all the back - ups provided with two electronic gated entries and parking for two vehicles. With a large and extensive back yard, this would be ideal if you have pets.
K 4,500.00 per week seizes the opportunity whilst it lasts.
To inspect this Home, Contact: Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289 or email: mmays@sre.com.pg
Now available for immediate lease in Chesterfield Apartments are 6x2 bedroom apartments and 2x3 bedroom apartments. Chesterfield Apartments, feature secure car parking for all tenants, 24 hour security, intercom, backup power and water. All apartments have walk - in robes and ensuites in the main.
Surrounded by lush tropical and neatly kept gardens, a true testament to the dedicated staff here at Chesterfield. They are part of the team that will ensure that your tenancy here will be comfortable as possible. The entertainment area here is unique, complemented with two swimming pools, one of which has an aqua bar a unique twist on your next BBQ with friends....
No reasonable rental offer here will be rejected!
Price on Application.
Contact, Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289 or Email: mmays@sre.com.pg
ISLANDER VILLAGE RENTIAL: 3 brm stand- alone townhouse with ensuite, fully-furnished, 24-hr security, with genset, res.water, BBQ and a large garden for outdoor entertainment. Exercise walk in safety or stroll across the street to the Holiday Inn gym. Photos don’t do this property justice. You should inspect!
Rental for this gem is K5000 per week, negotiable. Phone: 7232 4839 to arrange inspections
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 2x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 6 inclusive
March 20 - April 19
Watching things you’ve worked hard to organise fall apart is no fun. Yet for ages you’ve felt the arrangements in question weren’t really working. It’s just you lacked justification for making changes. Now and over the coming weeks, this appears. Although you may feel unexpectedly sentimental about letting these go, it’s time.
April 20 - May 19
The current eclipsed New Moon and the lunar eclipse, in two weeks’ time, are about shakeups. That may sound worrying. But actually, you’re already experiencing the influence of the first one, and you’re viewing the resulting changes as a relief. Remember this as they become more intense, which they will.
May 21 - June 20
Some pride themselves on their decisiveness. While this makes sense for them, from your viewpoint it seems both strange and sad. It means they’ll never benefit from the insights or perspective of others. This is something you value and, indeed, are about to put to good advantage. Do exactly that.
June 21 - July 21
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that because you’ve talked to others about certain plans, arrangements or responsibilities before, and they seemed to understand, they’ll remember. Past experience has shown that not everybody is as attentive to such commitments as you are. Double check now, while you can do so diplomatically.
July 22 - August 22
Upsetting as sudden and unsettling developments are, once you learn more about them, you’ll realise they’re timely. These are part of a pattern of evolution, discovery and growth, triggered by eclipses this week and in early April. They’re leading to breakthroughs in areas you previously regarded as unchanging.
August 23 - September 22
As a Virgo, you prefer to check your facts before you confront anybody about issues, even those of a minor nature. Now, however, the pace is so swift, you must say what’s on your mind without even having thought things through. Bizarrely, because you’re more vulnerable, others will be more receptive.
September 23 - October 22
Close relationships aren’t just important, some are central to your sense of identity. You’re so close that, as you shift, they do, too. Now, however, the foundation on which these are based is changing. Distressing as this may seem, it’s about growth. Understand that and you’ll actually enjoy the process.
October 23 - November 22
Every eclipse ushers in changes, usually ones that are overdue. And because this one accents close relationships, with family, loved ones and intimate friends, this is where the action is likely to be taking place. Worrying as events seem, these are forcing everybody, including you, to leave the past behind.
November 23 - December 22
Dismal as the potential for certain once promising arrangements seems at the moment, don’t give up just yet. The challenging situations that are undermining many of these are about clearing out the deadwood. By early April, when the Sun brilliantly aspects your ruler Jupiter, things will look much more upbeat.
December 21 - January 19
Some lessons are a pleasure to learn. Those you’re encountering at the moment are the reverse, the circumstances are unsettling and, worse, these are shaking certain of your longstanding beliefs to their very foundation. Challenging as this is, even these drastic changes are timely. You’ve moved on. These must go.
January 20 - February 17
Even if you haven’t actually set aside money for certain obligations or time to devote to achieving important objectives, it’s on your mind. Now you must take the sudden and probably dramatic shakeups triggered by the current eclipsed New Moon into account. These could mean you must rethink everything, possibly overnight.
February 18 - March 19
You don’t think about it until challenged, but you rely on your powerful Piscean intuition in everything from personal to practical matters. It’s especially useful now, with so much in disarray. Trust those feelings. If anybody asks you to justify them, explain they work for you, and say no more.
SYDNEY: South Africa
emphatically broke their knockout drought at the cricket World Cup, with a crushing nine wicket quarter-final win over Sri Lanka at the SCG yesterday.
They rolled Sri Lanka for just 133 in 37.2 overs, with JP Duminy (3-29) claiming the ninth hat-trick in World Cup history, and fellow tweaker Imran Tahir (4-26) doing much of the damage, as their opponents lost 8-64.
South Africa coasted to their modest target in just 18 overs, with Quinton de Kock (78 not out off 57 balls) making a welcome return to form.
They advance to the semifinals, where they will meet the winner of the New Zealand-West Indies quarter-final.
For all the pre-match talk about South Africa's tendency to choke in the knockout games, it was Sri Lanka who succumbed to the pressure yesterday.
They struggled against some high quality pace bowling early on and also played some poor shots on a good pitch that offered some bounce and turn.
Sri Lanka offered little resistance against such a disciplined attack apart from Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne (41), who added 65 off 15 overs for the third wicket.
Kusal Perera and Tillakaratane Dilshan perished inside the first five overs, falling to Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn respectively, with quality catches responsible for both wickets.
They recovered to be 2-69, but Tahir entered the attack and halted their progress.
The leggie broke the threatening third wicket partnership between Thirimanne and Sangakkara (45), inducing the former to chip a return catch.
Thirimanne earlier hit several offside boundaries to get the innings back on track after the Sri Lankans were reeling at 2-4 in the fourth over.
Tahir also dismissed Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera before Duminy chipped in.
Duminy, who returned career-best ODI figures of 3-29, had captain Angelo Mathews caught at short midwicket with the last ball of his eighth over.
MELBOURNE: The Tigers are playing a final at the MCG, but almost everyone is cheering for the opposition.
In September, it would be fanciful.
But it’s exactly the proposition awaiting Bangladesh on Thursday, when they face India in a World Cup quarter-final.
The defending champions’ fanatical support has been one of the highlights of the tournament, including a crowd of 86,876 that turned the MCG into a sea of blue for a pool clash with South Africa.
It will be one of many factors the Bangladesh Tigers will have to overcome if they’re to cause an upset in what is expected to be the tournament’s most lopsided quarter-final.
“We know that there will be 95,000 people that will be coming to the ground and most of them will be Indian supporters,” captain Mashrafe Mortaza said.
“But as professional cricketers we have to concentrate on cricket and we can handle it.
“Bangladesh supporters will be there. We cannot ask for equal support, but hopefully we’ll be fine.”
The crowd is actually predicted to be closer to 65,000. But the noise generated will make up for the empty seats.
“It feels really good to be playing at the MCG,” India’s Suresh Raina said.
“It is a huge stadium and it’s full of Indian fans.
“The crowd expect us to do well and we have shown we can do well.”
India have turned their form around dramatically since a fruitless Test series and tri-series in Australia.
Raina suggested his teammates were reaping the benefits of a marathon tour.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time in Australia, four and a half months,” he said.
“We’re used to the conditions more than other teams ... we’ve played so many games in Melbourne.”
Everything points to India advancing to an SCG semi-final against either Australia or Pakistan. MS Dhoni”s men have strolled into the knockout phase, winning all six of their pool matches with minimum fuss. In contrast, Bangladesh scraped through courtesy of a 15-run victory over an insipid England. India’s pool match in Melbourne was their most impressive performance of the tournament, a 145run thumping of South Africa.
ORIGIN
SYDNEY: Wests Tigers star James Tedesco has his sights set on a NSW State of Origin berth, even if his coach Jason Taylor believes he isn’t ready for the interstate cauldron just yet. Tedesco again showed why he is considered one of the NRL’s brightest young talents with an eye-catching display in the Tigers round two win over St George Illawarra on Monday night. The 22-year-old St Gregory’s College product adding his name to the list of contenders for Jarryd Hayne’s vacated Blues No.1 jersey.
GOLD COAST: North Queensland star Johnathan Thurston says it’s “open slather” on the NRL’s playmakers after the league failed to punish Newcastle enforcers Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott. Thurston was left with a swollen left eye and several other bumps and bruises after being targeted by Smith and Scott during the Cowboys’ loss to the Knights in Townsville last weekend. Thurston said the lack of a response by the NRL will only encourage similar defensive targeting of key players in future games.
GOLD COAST: Returning swimming champion Grant Hackett will stick to his plan of earning a spot in next year’s Olympics through the 200m freestyle. The two-time Olympic 1500m champion made his fi rst competitive appearance since the 2008 Beijing Games during a qualifying meet in Brisbane last weekend. The 34-year-old swam the 200m, 400m and 100m freestyle events, winning the 400m which would have quali fi ed him for the fi nals at last year’s event.
PERTH: They say talk is cheap, and don’t the Western Force know it. The Force started their Super Rugby season in a blaze of glory with victory over the Waratahs in Sydney. But four straight losses have left them near the foot of the table heading into their daunting trek to South Africa.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was expecting to face a Cronulla team that was 2-0 after two NRL rounds, not 0-2. The Storm host the Sharks in round three at AAMI Park on Saturday night, with the visitors winless after two home games.
Melbourne Victory defender Daniel Georgievski could face off against club teammate Mark Milligan in international colours later this month. Georgievski has been called up for national duties this month by his native Macedonia, pitting him against his A-League captain when the Red Lions take on the Socceroos on March 30.
All-Australian Ben Reid will abandon his swingman role and play exclusively in defence when he returns to Collingwood's AFL team. While the Magpies are encouraged by Reid's fi tness, coach Nathan Buckley is putting no timeline on when the injury-prone star will return to senior football.
SOUTH African batsman celebrate their resounding win over Sri Lanka the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday in the quarter-finals clash. Picture: ICC Cricket. Com
ADELAIDE: Coach Waqar Younis is adamant Pakistan can defeat Australia despite losing paceman Mohammad Irfan for the World Cup quarter-final.
The 2.16 metre tall seamer will miss the rest of the tournament because of a stress fracture in his pelvis and Waqar laments the absence of a bowler he describes as Pakistan’s X-factor.
But Waqar remains confident Pakistan can upset host nation Australia in their knockout final in Adelaide tomorrow.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Irfan just at the wrong time,” Waqar told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s a huge loss. He was an X factor for us but we have got to live with it.”
Waqar said his team would simply have to cope. “I am pleased with
PAKISTAN: The coach for the World Cup team is Waqar Younis. He is adamant Pakistan can defeat Australia.
IRFAN: Is Pakistan’s 2.16 metre tall bowler who will miss the tournament because of an injury.
STEVE WAUGH: He is the former Australian Captain who has been call up to inspire the side in their preparation against Pakistan.
MESSAGE: Waugh’s message to the Australian team is to be brave and not think about losing.
the performance of the fast bowlers, Wahab Riaz has taken responsibility and has been delivering and so has Rahat Ali,” he said.
“We have been approaching the games very well in the entire tournament.
We had a poor start at the beginning but we came back well.
“The bowlers know what to do and they are doing well.”
Waqar said legspinner Yasir Shah,
who took 12 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-0 Test series win against Australia last year, was in contention to replace Irfan.
“We have discussed Shah but we will look at the pitch and if it’s conducive then we will see how it goes,” he said.
“It’s a big game, a quarter-final of the World Cup and we all are very pleased to be here.
“We know Australia play very
aggressive cricket and we have to match that. We can beat Australia but for that we have to be very positive.”
Meanwhile, World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has urged Australia’s cricketers not to fear failure in their knockout final against Pakistan.
Waugh, who led Australia to its 1999 World Cup triumph, has been summoned to inspire the Australians ahead of Friday’s quarter-final in Adelaide.
Waugh addressed a team dinner on Tuesday night and attended training yesterday with a blunt message for Michael Clarke’s outfit: be brave.
“It’s an exciting time but at the same time I think the beauty of our team is we don’t fear losing,” opening batsman Aaron Finch told reporters yesterday.
SYDNEY: They battled to the bitter end, but there was no World Cup fairytale finish to the one-day cricket careers of Sri Lankan batting greats, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
The pair had already announced they'd retire when Sri Lanka's involvement at the 2015 World Cup concluded. That came last night.
After playing in successive losing World Cup final teams against Australia and India in 2007 and 2011, there would be no perfect finale for the duo as a hungry South African side bulldozed Sri Lanka at the SCG. Chasing just 134 to win, South
Africa cruised to a nine-wicket victory in 18 overs.
Sangakkara top scored with 45, while Jayawardene made just four.
Classy left-hander Sangakkara was philosophical about the crushing defeat in his final ODI game.
“That’s the way it goes. Someone has got to lose in a quarter-final it’s a do-or-die situation,” said, Sangakkara, who will keep playing Test cricket.
“I don’t think it (being my last ODI) adds to the disappointment.”
Sangakkara did at least become just the eighth player in World Cup history to score 500 runs in a sin-
gle tournament. Despite his prolific form, he had no reservations about his decision. referring to the state of his 37-year-old body.
“It’s like the tape holding my fingers together, I’ve got a lot more holding my body together,” Sangakkara said.
“Retiring from (one-day) cricket is not about form for me personally, it never is.
“I'm sure I can play a year or two more, but I feel the time is now and it's right ...”
He couldn't have tried any harder to resist the South African push, scrapping his way to an innings-
high 45 off 96 balls, in an uncharacteristically subdued but typically determined knock.
It was a far less successful tournament for his long-time teammate Jayawardene, who is retiring from all forms of international cricket.
He ended the competition with 125 runs at an average of 25, with 100 of those runs coming in one innings against associate side Afghanistan.
“He’s scored a lot of runs, he's led our country to a lot of victories and he’s given a lot both on and off the field to the country, so I think he's going to be sorely missed," Sangakkara said.
The NRL has conceded Johnathan Thurston was put at an unacceptable risk of injury in an ugly tackle by Beau Scott, despite the Newcastle back-rower avoiding suspension for the contentious hit. The Knights' borderline defensive tactics on North Queensland playmaker Thurston on Saturday have earned the ire of many in rugby league including Cowboys coach Paul Green.
Aiden Tolman is hoping Canterbury's recent success will convince Trent Hodkinson to stay at the Bulldogs and resist overtures to lure him back to Manly. Hodkinson's future will be an interesting sidenote to Friday's clash with the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Manly are in the market for a new halves pairing after Kieran Foran and Daly CherryEvans, the man who replaced Hodkinson in the Sea Eagles' No.7 jersey, announced plans to leave the Northern Beaches next season.
Sydney FC can take the outright lead on the A-League ladder for the fi rst time in fi ve years but coach Graham Arnold insists it's the furthest thing from his mind. Should the Sky Blues topple Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium on Friday and Brisbane either defeat or hold current frontrunners Wellington to a draw on Sunday, Sydney will sit at least one point clear at the top of the table.
Dual Australian Paralympic shooting medallist Ashley Adams has died in a motorcycle accident on his farm in Queensland. He was 59.
PITCH preparation should be a genuine concern for the Pacific Games organising committee.
Lawn bowls sporting identity
Lady Karina Okuk, said the synthetic green that would replace the natural greens (grass) may affect Papua New Guinea’s performance during the Games.
“I am concerned that our national players who don’t have much experience on the synthetic greens will be disadvantaged.
“This is also due to the fact that the new bowling green is not ready
for use with three months out from the Games,” she added.
As a former lawn bowls representative she is against the use of the synthetic surface as she believes it will affect the team’s performance with regard to manoeuvring ball control. She explained that her vast experience with the use of the synthetic pitch make that ball travel faster compared to natural greens. She assumed this scenario with the pitch would give athletes hard time to control the flow or speed of balls. All the athletes are used to playing the natural greens.
And I am sure they will find it hard on synthetics.
She however said PNG athletes need to get the feel of the synthetics prior to the Games in July 4. However both the Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko and his Press Secretary Keith Puaria revealed to Post-Courier that the athletes would adapt to the synthetic greens in time before the Games.
Tkatchenko further highlighted that the games would be on time and all the pitches in place would meet the required standard of the Games Committees.
WITH three months before the Pacific Games in July, Vanuatu’s participation is in a quandary after the country was hard hit by Cyclone Pam over the weekend.
It is understood by the Games Organising Committee that the athletes from Vanuatu would have their participation shelved after the monstrous cyclone that hampered their capital city of Port Vila and other parts of the country last Saturday. And its government is not likely to send nine of its sporting teams if they are to spend money into building back infrastructures and lives.
A representative from the Office
of the President of Vanuatu in Sydney yesterday said in an email to this paper that they would put on hold everything until further notice. But added they would respond to this paper by the end of this week on the team’s status.
The Games Organising Committee headed by Emma Waiwai confirmed with the PostCourier also via email yesterday that she would check with the respective authorities in Vanuatu and find out on the status of the team’s participation and advice by the end of this week.
If however its government still insist to send the team over to participate, than the country would compete only in nine sports
because their Government had previously cut back funding for the athletes to participate in the games.
Vanuautu athletes have been preparing for the Games by attending several sporting events internationally and locally including the Youth Olympic qualifiers plus the National Youth Games held towards the end of last month.
Their hopes for gold is in the women’s beach volleyball after qualifying again for the world championships this year.
Nine sports include: Beach Volleyball, Tennis, Table-Tennis, Taekwondo, Cricket, Athletics, Hockey, Football and Karate.
THE Games Organising Committee (GOC) was pleased to host the head of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dame Meg Taylor last week.
Secretary General Dame Taylor, her delegation from the Secretariat and PNG Foreign Affairs and Immigration officials were welcomed to the Games office by GOC Peter Stewart.
Stewart provided Dame Taylor an overview of the Games preparations so far, highlighting key milestones events achieved and upcoming announcements as well as a background brief of the GOC and its role.
Dame Taylor’s visit was primarily to have a look at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium as a potential venue for the Pacific Islands
forum in September.
“We are very confident from a Games point of view that these venues will have everything we need to deliver the Games,”said Stewart.
Dame Taylor said questions are always asked about the Games and its preparations and therefore it was good to have this knowledge in order to answer those questions.
She said she hoped the GOC had plans to make sure the Games had a good radio and Television coverage for all Papua New Guineans to experience this great event.
Stewart assured her that these Games will have one of the largest ever broadcast arrangements in place in the history of any Pacific Games as well as in the country.
BY PETER SEVARA JREIGHTEEN year old Jiwaka lass determined to make a career in bodybuilding.
Young Helen Minge from Banz just took up the Sport last year but is living the dream with an entry into the trainon list for the XV Pacific Games body building contingent in July 2015.
Inspired by her cousin Rex Tonga who is also named in the team, she began with lifting anything heavy she could lay her hands on back in Jiwaka.
“I couldn’t stop admiring how Rex use to go about lifting irons so I began lifting heavy things around the house until he finally gave in and taught me how to use the real equipments,” Minge said.
Six months later she was a part of Team Jiwaka’s body building contingent to the 6th Papua New Guinea Games in Lae late last year - her first ever national competition.
“I won bronze that day in the 65kg division and made my province and
family proud. They are very supportive of me as I am the first female to take up body building from Jiwaka,” Minge said.
Minge enjoys food from the village like sweet potato, orange, pineapple, smoked peanuts and anything else that makes her strong.
“As a kid I wanted to be someone strong with big muscles and I’d do anything to make muscle grow from tending the coffee garden to doing odd jobs around the house”.
“I didn’t realize that I’d get this far but now that I’m here, the sky is the limit. I will go wherever it takes me and I won’t stop. I will keep going”.
Minge is relishing every moment of her training and wants nothing less than Gold in the Pacific Games.
“The Pacific Games is a very big thing and it’s my first ever huge event. I really want Gold for my family, province and country. I really want it and I will do everything that is required of me to get it”
FROM BACK PAGE
PREVIOUSLY was Sensei Walter Schnaubelt at the 1999 Guam South Pacific Games, where he won two gold medals in the 84kg+ and Open
division.
The uchi-deshi program has brought back the medals…the record speaks for itself and it would be a pity if your best trained athletes are not given the opportunity.
Name: Sailas Piskaut
Club : PNG MOKKA
Belt: 1st Dan black belt
Province: Tanga Island, New Ireland
Job description: Freight Officer, Airlines PNG
Achievements: 2011 Australian National’s light-weight champion
2013 PNG National and Open kumite and kata champion
2014 Melbourne International, High Performance training camp in Sydney
Name: Atomu Amani Club: Erima Dojo
Belt: white belt
Province: Mortlock Islands, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Umbukul, New Ireland
Job Description: Drafts man (Just graduated with Diploma in Architectural Technology at Poly Technical Institute of PNG
THE nationwide Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) reaches fever pitch with the gold pass play-offs for the Western and Southern end competitions.
the Highlands clubs thrash it out.
“There will be top class action at the Baning Oval…I can guarantee you that,” Lepa added.
While in the Southern end, it’s set to be an arm-wrestle for the Central gold pass between PRL team Magani and Warako Dust.
2012
Achievements : 2011 member of the Fiji Pacific Games squad
PNG Games gold medallist 70kg
2013 PNG Open kumite and kata silver medallist
2014 Melbourne International and PNG National Open champion semi-contact, full-contact kumite 70kg
The Western end will see top clubs from Enga Province (A1 Brothers and Sanghu Knights), Western Highlands Province (Monopu Tribesman), Southern Highlands (Nipa Snipers and Ipwenz Butterflies), Hela Province (Lewaro Rebels), Jiwaka Province (Kuma Cowboys) and Simbu Province (Blue Mountain Brothers) clash at the Baning Oval in Mt Hagen.
CCIC CEO Timothy Lepa said it will be the clash of the titans as
While in the NCD gold pass challenge, obvious favorites and two-time winners of the NCD Governors Cup, Freeway Bumpers will be sweating on a competitive challenge from Waigani Iralais.
Both matches will be played at the Laloki High School Oval on Saturday. Bumpers skipper Junior Yambe and Port Moresby Vipers rake Presley Soto will combine to guide their side to an expected victory while their foes,
the Waigani Iralais are sure to give them a surprise with AFL convert Brendan Gotuno trying his hand out in league. The Iralais with several Digicel Cup big guns in Port Moresby Vipers Samuel Koim and Mt Hagen Eagles Ham Tee will be highly competitive. Warako Dust, made up of Sabama and Kaugere youths, are gradually rising up to the call with their Moresby Souths counterparts Bige Warriors. The South side boys will be taking on PRL team Magani under coaching maestro Chris Enara to complete the Southern Leg of the Ipatas cup.
The Northern end teams are on standby in Lae, while the New Guinea Island leg has yet to be played.
ENGA Provincial Governor Peter Ipatas has laid down the law on discipline for their marquee team the Mioks for the 2015 Digicel Cup season.
Governor Ipatas said the current management has changed the outlook of the Mioks franchise for the better. He recently reminded players that took part in the recent Digicel Nines regional play-off in Lae over the weekend that the Mioks are not only about winning but being good role models as well.
“We want to promote grass-roots talent to grow with the game and become responsible people for all our supporters to see what we have produced,” he said.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa chimed in to say that whilst quality players are a big asset they are focused primarily in developing grassroots
players to be given the opportunity to play at the top level.
“Since I came in 2009 we started a new chapter and despite a lot of chopping and changing each year, we continue to strive,” he added.
The Mioks were not able to retain sacked SP Hunters backrower David Loko, who is with the Snax Tigers of Lae, plus Charles Martin, Charlie Simon and Paul Kambi also to the Tigers franchise.
Lepa said they have retained a few but overall have a new-look squad. “This squad is likely to change as we look to tie down the players over the next month,” he added.
The most obvious signing is PNG U20 Commonwealth Championships nines gold medallist Gahuna Silas.
Silas is amongst the top rising dummy-half runners in the game behind incumbent Kumul Wartovo
Puara Jr.
The 2015 Enga Provincial Government Mioks squad: Damien Herod, Ashley Waula, Gahuna Silas, Vitus Kupo, Mathew Wawe, Peter Kond, Solomon Pokari, Kevin Ingafa, Richard Reto, Wesley Mohokule, Chris Lae, Chris Lai, Sidney Fred, Manu Tobias, Ryan Kiso, BJ Wallamace, Michael Bare, Tiger Emere, Rex Reto, Ene Leo, Joe Macky, Bui Patrick, Sandrick Sam, Steven Talin, Randy Joseph, Gibson Wayon, Lawrence Keith, Elvis Loko, Sam Koke, Dickson Eki, Jacky Martin, Leon Titus, Joseph Kingal.
The team management: Timothy Lepa (head-coach), Nathan Anjo (trainer), John Milba, Andrew Stone (trainers), Sam Koi (team manager).
THESE are the sentiments of Enga kickboxing president Paul Gonopa in reference to notorious tribal fighting in the Highlands region.
PNG had produced a world champion like Stanley Nandex. “Fighting is in our blood but that does not mean we fight to kill, you
are a real hero if you fight in the ring and show how good you are,” he said. Gonopa is on a mission to develop the kickboxing code in Enga Province.
“Whilst we are spreading awareness of the sport it is also important to promote and instil discipline amongst the community especially in Enga Province,” he said. “It’s all about changing the mentality of the people
into becoming good respectful citizens,” Kickboxing will help instil self discipline and self control and can develop a person into good and orderly citizens in the community,” said Gonopa.
PNGKBA president Stanley Nandex was impressed with the Enga kickboxing school and now has tasked them to organise the event to be staged at Wabag on June 16.
STANLEY Olo is set to give Agmark Gurias that extra edge for the 2015 Digicel Cup season.
The former Mendi Muruks star playmaker has been named in the Gurias 28-man squad yesterday.
The wiley dummy-half runner who has a knack for scoring tries whether at stand-off or dummyhalf in every game gives new coach Steven Nightingale the x-factor in an added dimension to the team.
Olo adds more depth to the Gurias halves with the return of Lance Kuveu (TNA Lions), incumbent Watson Boas and utility Jimmy Peter Jnr.
With the return from injury to first choice rake Sakias Kabange,
FORMER inter-city cup champions, the Petroleum Resources Kutubu Mendi Muruks have begun their 2015 Digicel Cup campaign on a positive note after completing the Pacific Balanced Nines as runner ups in the cup final in Lae last week.
Muruks Board chairman Pastor Isaac Joseph while commending the team in their achievement said despite their late preparations, last weekend’s 22-20 loss to Lae Snax Tigers bodes well for their 2015 season after bowing out early in the knockouts last year.
“We started our 2015 preparation very late, a week before the Nines with half of the players from last year’s campaign and another half composed of new young boys which we recruited from our local leagues in Southern Highlands Province especially from Nipa, Ialibu, Pangia, Erave, Mendi, Undiri off-season, Ipatas Cup and one from the 2014 Papua New Guinea Games.
“The boys did very well against a quality team who is one of the main 2015 contenders for the Digicel cup. We were to trial in March against the Central Roosters, but we cancelled the trial to go back home.” Joseph said.
NEW COACH: Guria’s new coach is Steven Nightingale for the 2015 season.
NEW SIGNING: The team has signed on wiley dummy half Stanley Olo, a former Mendi Muruks star play-maker.
NEW CAPTAIN: The team has named SP Hunters utility Albert Patak as the new captain for Gurias.
SPONSORS: Coach Nightinggale has thanked all the supporters and the sponsors for their support. He is confident in winning another grand final.
Gurias have covered their bases with that area being an issue last season.
Nightingale’s promotion was expected as he was playing the backroom role for the past two seasons. Among the squad named includes the return of SP Hunters
utility Albert Patak as the captain. In a statement yesterday, Nightingale said this season will be a big test for their young and inexperienced squad.
“But in saying that my coaching staff are looking forward to the challenges ahead,” he said.
CRICKET PNG will get their selection process for the Pacific Games underway with the staging of the National Regional Championships in Lae this weekend.
The teams competing in the three-day Twenty20 tournament are NCD Avala, NCD Lahara, Morobe and Combined XI. In a change to the format, only four teams will be competing with each team only allowed to have a maximum of two over-30 players in their squads.
Morobe will be looking to defend their crown after claiming the inaugural title last year. This time they will have strong opposition from the two NCD teams who have filled their teams with past and present PNG national players including current Barramundis players Raymond Haoda Jnr and
Kabua Vagi Morea. Combined XI features the best players from Central, Oro, Milne Bay, Madang, Western Highlands and West New Britain.
PNG head coach, Dipak Patel along with chairman of selectors, Api Leka will be present at the tournament to oversee the talent on show.
Visiting teams will arrive tomorrow with the first round matches scheduled for Friday. All matches will be played at the Lae Showgrounds Oval and Unitech Oval 3.
NCD Avala: Greg Baeau, Kapena Arua, Alfred Amini, Dogodo Bau, Jeremiah Kila, Steven Eno, Joel Tom, Arina Lahari, Raymond Haoda Jnr, Mea Nao, Raho Sam, Junius Ani, Maru Hobart (Coach) and Keimelo Vauvagi (Team Manager). NCD Lahara: Kohu Dai, Heni Siaka, Kiplin Doriga, Hiri Hiri, Sese Bau, Jacob Mado,
Tom Willie, Sakavai Gebai, Loa Nau, Nosiana Pokana, Alei Nao, Kabua Vagi Morea, Seia Ovia (Coach) and Andy Frank (Team Manager).
Morobe: Vivian Kila, Richard Basada, Billy Maha, Nigel Topai, Damien Ravu, Samuel Lui, Doko Rupa, Venua Ila, Walo Navu, Alan Ilaraki, Rawali Mogala, Martin Poroda, William Maha (Coach) and Arnold Topai (Team Manager).
Combined XI: Vali Albert (Central), William Mula (Central), Daure Sam (West New Britain), Chris Henry (West New Britain), Benny Mark (Milne Bay), Tomtom Ora (Madang), Latrell Manoa (Western Highlands), Bagoi Nelson (Madang), James Mao (Oro), Peter Koviro (Oro), Willie Gerega (Central) , Henari Kila (Central), Rodney Maha (Coach) and Julie Tom (Team Manager).
“The return of Joe Bruno and Albert Patak makes my job easier and I’m confident I have the squad to take us to another grand-final,” a confident Nightingale said.
He added that they are in a rebuilding stage and aim to be PNG’s number one club over the next couple of years.
Nightingale added they are fortunate to have many loyal supporters from local business houses that keeps Gurias ship running. These sponsors include, SP Brewery, ENBPG, Digicel, RMI, Islands Petroleum, KVR, Garom, SAS, Coastal Shipping, Credit Corp, IBS Limited, Andersons, KK Kingston, Pacific Industries, ENBPOL, Anitua, Kavieng Hotel, S, Kcentral and Esco.
Joseph said the team will now concentrate on their preseason training at the Muruks nest at Kiburu, and prepare for the 2015 competition as the season is building to be a strong one in terms of players movements from transfers and recruitment.
Joseph sent his word of appreciation to Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Chairman Sandis Tsaka and his team for introducing the nines concept, which he sees as a pre-season preparation for teams vying in the Digicel Cup and believes it will be bigger and better in the years to come.
The Muruks were a force to be reckoned with in its formative years, but in the past few seasons it has continued to struggle due to player moves to other franchise causing loss of playing stocks.
KARATE
KYOKUSHIN karate martial art students Sailas Piskaut and Atomu Amani have caught a whiff of a newly minted XV Pacific Games gold medal in their midst. However that whiff is slowly fading away with their dreams and aspirations.
Both are champions in their own rights, but can’t see the rationale why they have been overlooked by national selectors.
Both are on the reserve list and are deemed not good enough to represent their country, as per the Papua New Guinea Karate Federation. Experience and performance is not an issue. Piskaut and Amani are currently undergoing a three-month high intensive uchi-deshi program under former champion Sempai Bernard Soari to get themselves into gold medal form.
As in the past it has always been the Kyokushin karate style that has brought home the gold medals, most recent was Melissa Turia (New Caledonia 2011).
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