Links
A sample of accommodation around PNG
Alotau International Hotel -- http://www.alotauinternational.com
Coral Sea Hotels -- http://www.coralseahotels.com.pg
Ela Beach Hotel -- http://www.elabeachhotel.com.pg
Hamamas Hotel -- http://www.OntheNet.com.au/~hamamas/index.html
Haus Poroman Lodge -- http://www.hausporoman.com.pg
Kaivuna Resort Hotel -- http://www.kaivunaresort.com
Kokopo Village Resort (East New Britain) -- kvr@global.net.pg
Kulau Lodge -- http://www.global.net.pg/kulau
Lae International Hotel -- http://www.laehotel.com.pg
Lissenung Island Resort -- http://www.lissenung.com
Loloata Resort - sdhort drive from Port Moresby -- http://www.loloata.com
MV Febrina Dive Boat -- http://www.febrina.com
Nusa Island Retreat -- http://www.nusaislandretreat.com.pg
Sandaun Motel -- http://www.sandaunmotel.com.pg
Taklam Guesthouse (East New Britain) taklam(@)daltron.com.pg
Takubar Beach Resort (East New Britain) lomotaku(@)global.net.pg
Walindi Resort -- http://www.walindi.com
Miscellaneous PNG Websites
Kenmore Group of Companies -- http://www.kenmore.com.pg
Markham Group -- http://www.markham.com.pg
National Research Institute -- http://www.nri.org.pg
PNG Poetry -- http://members.cruzio.com/~png/prev.html
Seeto Kui -- http://www.seetokui.com.pg
A parody of Waltzing Matilda called Kai Kai the Buai can be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/WM/Kai.html
News Items
Backpackers
The Magila group of accommodation units at the old Air Niugini lodge in six
mile, apart from offering Motel Accommodation and a Women's hostel also offers
accommodation for backpackers. In typical PNG fashion it is advertising special
rates for June in the July newspapers so I can't give you an accurate figure
for accommodation rates. The June rates were a reasonable K40 per night for
shared accommodation. -- Phone +675 325 0536 or 325 0537 -- Facsimile +675
325 0534
YWCA
The Young Women's Christian Association in PNG has celebrated its 40th birthday
with celebrations held recently in Port Moresby over two day period.
Michael Somare
Sir Michael Somare has indicated that he will retire from politics in 2007.
Sir Michael is often called the Chief for his role as a founding father of
the nation of PNG.
Maritime College
The PNG Maritime College has announced
the graduation of Ronette Benny as its first woman officer to obtain the qualification
from the college. Ronnete will work as a Navigator on coastal ships at Mate
Class 4 level with her employer Western Tug and Barge.
PNG Education Related Website
Computer Training -- http://www.workersmutual.com.pg
Divine Word University -- http://www.dwu.ac.pg
International Education Agency -- http://www.iea.ac.pg
Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
PNG Maritime College -- http://www.pngmc.ac.pg
University of PNG -- http://www.upng.ac.pg
University of Technology -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg
Election Violence
The violence throughout the elections has been more like the scores from a
football game. They can be categorised into number of deaths, injuries and
other violence. I haven't kept a running total but here is an extract from
various reports just to paint the picture for the readers.
- Enga Province, Wabag - ballot papers strewn everywhere after 30 armed
men firebombed the Wabag police station
- Western Highlands, Mount Hagen - policemen disgruntled over lack of pay
for extra electoral duties forced all counting to stop.
- Southern highlands - Elections ruled by gunfire, all ballot boxes tampered
with
- Morobe Province, Finschhafen - police investigating the burning down
of a house suspected to be election related - food gardens destroyed etc.
- Morobe Province, Lae - Ethnic dispute reportedly related to the elections
- Western Highlands, Kompian-Ambun - Candidate guns down two voters. (PC
July 4)
- Chimbu Province, Oinima Village - Axe-wielding young adults slashed Kerowagi
based policeman.
- Chimbu Province, Chimb Village - Two men shot dead and old people forced
to jump into a river
- Western Highlands, Tambul-Nebilyer - election related tribal fight has
left families homeless.
Port Moresby General Hospital
The Port Moresby General Hospital has received a welcomed donation of 550
cartons of medical supplies from the Church of Jesus Christy and Latter Day
Saints. The cartons contained much needed supplies such as surgical gloves,
needles, hospital gowns and diapers.
Hiri Moale
The Hiri Moale Festival Chairman has gone to public tender for the construction
of the following items required for the festival that is held around the celebration
of PNG Independence in September.
- Traditional Houses
- Guest Shelters
- Hiri Hanenamo Shelter
- Official Dais
- Craft Village Huts
- Traditional Tabu
The Festival Chairman is also calling for applications by traditional dancing
groups, Hiri Hanenamo contestants, string ban competitors, canoe racers, choir
and Gospel singers etc. The festival will also have a parade of floats.
Approx Exchange Rates
| 0.43 |
Australian Dollar |
AUD |
| 0.37 |
Canandian Dollar |
CAD |
| 0.35 |
Swiss Francs |
CHF |
| 1.78 |
Danish Kronor |
DKK |
| 0.23 |
European Euro |
EUR |
| 0.50 |
Fijian Dollar |
FJD |
| 0.15 |
United Kingdom Pound |
GBP |
| 1.88 |
Hong Kong Dollar |
HKD |
| 11.71 |
Indian Rupee |
INR |
| 28.02 |
Japenese Yen |
JPY |
| 1.77 |
Norwegian Kroner |
NOK |
| 0.50 |
New Zealand Dollars |
NZD |
| 12.08 |
Philipines Peso |
PHP |
| 1.61 |
Solomon Islands Dollar |
SBD |
| 2.23 |
Swedish Kronor |
SEK |
| 0.42 |
Singapore Dollar |
SGD |
| 9.66 |
Thai Bhat |
THB |
| 0.24 |
US Dollar |
USD |
| 2.44 |
South African Rand |
ZAR |
Hagahai
Several articles on the Hagahai people of Papua New Guinea and patent rights
(US patent 5,397,696) for the human DNA material of the those people --
http://www.niugini.com/wwwboard/messages/76823.html
http://www.earthisland.org/journal/w95-13c.html
http://www.nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9609/0107.html
http://www.nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9609/0103.html
http://www1.jaring.my/just/archives/letters/hagahai.htm
Air Niugini
In a bid to cut cost Air Niugini is closing its sales offices on Saturdays.
Its telephone sales will still be available from 8am to 5pm but callers outside
Port Moresby will be charged full ISD rates. (+675 327 3444) -- http://www.airniugini.com.pg
-- or for any reader from Japan -- http://www.air-niugini.co.jp
The arrival of the Air Niugini Boeing 767 has been delayed further. It is expected that the last flight of the Airbus A310 will now be on the 6th of August for the Manila - Port Moresby service. The first flight for the Boeing 767 will now be the Port Moresby - Brisbane service on the 7th of August.
Australian TV Series
The Australian TV Series "The Great Outdoors" will be filming segments
for the show along the Kokoda Trail, the Sepik River and East New Britain.
The segments will be seen on Australian TV in September to promote PNG as
a tourist destination.
Cameron Secondary School
A downpour that lasted almost all of the day dampened the Cultural Day at
Cameron High School. The downpour did not stop the visitors from attending
and the dancers were able to perform in the school hall. I was able to take
a few photographs and a couple are available on this page. http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/css02a.html
Some of the dancers
Daffodil Day
The Daffodil Day for the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society will be held on
the 23rd of August this year. The daffodil has become accepted ass the international
symbol of hope for all touched by the dreaded disease Cancer.
2002 Enga Show
The Enga Cultural Show has been cancelled due to polling related issues. It
was to be held between the 9th and 11th of August.
Veawai Melanesian Resort
Many establishments have sprung up in Alotau. Gone are the days of the Masurina
Lodge being virtually the only place to stay. For my recent trip to Alotau
I stayed at Veawai Lodge which is also known as Elena Inn Resort - Phone +675
641 0255 and Facsimile +675 641 0266. The staff are very friendly and make
the stay in the inn a pleasure. Other places to try are the Masurina Lodge, Napatana Lodge
and the Alotau International Resort
Lae Hockey
Field Hockey in Lae has received a boost from Niugini transport who have donated
t-shirts and K50 towards the national women's hockey squad. The squad is raising
funds to compete in Cairns Australia in October. The meeting in Australia
will be part of the preparation for the South pacific Games to be held in
July in Fiji next year.
Arthemeter
The Health Secretary has said that the drug arthemeter has been approved for
use as a drug to help in the treatment of malaria since last year. The drug
is reported to be very safe even if taken in overdose proportions. Arthemeter
is a Chinese drug that has no side effects unlike chloroquine a more traditional drug used in the treatment of malaria.
Steven Bjorge has supplied the following information -- "It is important that people understand that artemether or artesunate used alone may not cure the malaria infection. The NDOH recommended treatment is artemether or artesunate (they are closely related compounds) taken daily for 7 days IN COMBINATION with a single dose of Fansidar (for an adult, 3 tablets). The artesunate/artemether drugs are very effective in knocking down the parasite biomass in the blood and thus reducing the fever, but they still can fail to knock out every last parasite. Studies have shown up to a 50% recrudescence rate after 5 days of artesunate/artemether, and a 5% recrudescence rate after 7 days of artesunate/artemether (i.e. less than 100%)."
Anti Malarial War
In the fight against malaria the US Department of Defence has donated US$50,000
and Exxon Mobil has given US$10,000 to the Rotary campaign against Malaria
(RAM). The funds will be used to purchase and distribute treated mosquito
nets throughout the Kikori District of Gulf Province. It is anticipated that
45,000 inhabitants of the district will benefit from the distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ What is the most common disease
in PNG?
AAA Malaria is the most common disease
and the second leading cause of death in PNG hospitals. Pneumonia is the most
common cause of death.
QQQ What are the various types of malaria
found in PNG?
AAA There are four types of malaria
found in the world that can affect humans but only three types are found in
PNG
falciparum malaria,
vivax malaria. and the third species of malaria
found in PNG is called malariae malaria (P. malariae) - it is basically like vivax
but without vivax's persistent liver stage.
QQQ Of the three types of malaria found
in PNG which one is the most dangerous?
AAA falciparum malaria is the most serious.
If not treated falciparum malaria may result in shock, kidney and liver failure,
coma and death. Death is often due to clogging of the small blood vessels
in vital organs by the malaria infected blood cells.
QQQ What is the less life-threatening
malaria found in PNG?
AAA vivax malaria is generally not life
threatening, but deaths may occur in young children, very old people and in
people already weakened by another disease.
QQQ Where is malaria found?
AAA Malaria is generally found at altitudes
lower than 1,600 metres. The temperature above this altitude restricts mosquito
and parasite growth. As a result of increased travel, malaria does occur in
some of the highlands valleys.
QQQ How is malaria spread?
AAA Malaria is spread by the bite of
the Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitos almost exclusively bite at dusk and
during the night. Daytime mosquitoes are usually not carriers of malaria.
QQQ What are the drugs used to treat
malaria?
AAA The drugs used are dangerous and
should only be taken under medical supervision. Chloroquine, Fansidar, artesunate
/ artemether and primaquine. No drug or combination of drugs is completely
effective in all people.
QQQ How can I protect myself against
malaria?
AAA Prevention of being bitten by an
infected mosquito is important but nor perfect. Added protection from malaria
is possible by taking anti-malarial drugs. Taking drugs before becoming sick,
to prevent disease from developing is called prophylaxis. A prophylactic drug
is supposed to prevent or suppress the disease even if bitten by an infected
mosquito.
Malaria Control
A vacine for malaria may be further away than first anticipated as the malaria
virus is older and more complex than first thought. The earliest common ancestor
of the virus may be between 100,000 to 180,000 year old rather than the original
figure of 3,000 to 5,000 years ago.
Paias Wingti
Ex-Prime Minister, Paias Wingti, has announced that he will take over as governor
of the Western Highlands despite being in a strong position to contest the
position of Prime Minister. Knowing PNG politics this may change before you
even read this!
Wewak Court House
A historic building, one of four built during colonial times in Wewak, housing
the Wewak District Court House has burnt to the ground. All that has been
left standing are the front and back walls of the building.
Postal Services
The PNG Postal service, which is normally eratic at the best of times, is
facing further delays due to election related problems. It is not uncommon
for airmail to take months or even years to get from point A to point B even
if the post offices are in the same town! Many post offices around the country
have been closed during the worst of the local election related violence incidents.
Mel Donald
One of the PNG shooters, who had automatically qualified for the Commonwealth
Games, has had to withdraw due to an arm injury. Female shooter, Mel Donald,
automatically qualified by shooting the necessary percentage points in an
Olympic and Commonwealth games qualifying pistol event earlier this year in
New Zealand. Her withdrawal is seen as a major loss to the PNG Team.
Commonwealth Games
All the athletes, except for one student stuck in USA with visa problems,
have left for the Manchester Commonwealth Games. The athletes will find Manchester
bitterly cold when compared to the normal PNG weather that they are used to.
A new record of 12.17 seconds has been set by Mae Koime who can now claim
to be the fastest PNG Woman over 100 metres. The new record was set by Mae
at the World Junior Athletics Championships in Jamaica. The old record of
12.19 seconds was set by Barbara Sapea whilst competing at the 1984 Olympic
Games in Los Angeles.
PNG Team
The team consists of the following athletes and officials -
| -Athletics- |
| * |
Peter Pulu |
| * |
Mowen Boino |
| * |
Clement Abai |
| * |
Jeffrey Bai |
| * |
Samu Sasama |
| * |
Naomi Polum |
| -Swimming- |
| * |
Ryan Pini |
| * |
Ben Wells |
| * |
Anna-Lisa Mopio |
| * |
Liz Wells |
| * |
Les Huckins |
| -Boxing- |
| * |
Henry Kunsi |
| * |
Raphael Lare |
| * |
Ben Tami Junior |
| * |
Jack Willie |
| * |
Steven Tsivele |
| * |
Lohial Nuau |
| -Disabled Sports- |
| * |
Kupini Lewa |
| * |
Dona Ou |
| * |
Ashley Brown |
| * |
Sophie Kuasie |
| -Judo- |
| * |
Numa Keneke |
| * |
Mek Kenek |
| -Women's Lawn Bowling- |
| * |
Elizabeth Bore |
| * |
Agnes Dean |
| * |
Hedwig Labai |
| * |
Lady Karina Okuk |
| * |
Walo Pisak |
| * |
Maggie Worrie |
| * |
Piwen Pomaleu |
| * |
Linda Ahmat |
| * |
Kathy Panap |
| -Squash- |
| * |
Derek Hunter |
| * |
Naluge Guy |
| * |
Damien Tam |
| * |
Paul Speedy |
| -Weightlifting- |
| * |
Jeffrey Robby |
| * |
Dika Toua |
| * |
Hekure Joe |
| * |
Iwila Jacobs |
| * |
Scott Vavine |
The management team, looking a bit top heavy especially when there are already
officials travelling with the various teams, consists of Randhir Varma (chef
de mission), Wesley Pialkolos (general team manager), Tamzin Wardley (deputy
team manager), Babrbara Kasman (admin assistant), Kora Nou (media attache)
and Jason Pini (team photographer)
The medical team consuists of David Inaho, Michael Wilson and Andrew Marampau
Kerema / Gulf Province
People in Moresby thought they had a bad time losing power for three or four
hours at a time but the town of Kerema was recently without power for two
days because there was no diesel to power the generators. The local BP agent
has also run out of fuel and cannot supply the electricity company and the
rest of the town.
Political Party Standings
| Political Party |
Number |
| National Alliance |
15 |
| Independents |
13 |
| People's Democratic Movement |
8 |
| People's Progress Party |
6 |
| PANGU |
6 |
| People's Action Party |
5 |
| Melanesian Alliance |
3 |
| PNG National Party |
3 |
| People's Labour Party |
3 |
| Pan Melanesian Congress |
2 |
| People's National Congress |
2 |
| United Party |
2 |
| Christian Democratic Party |
2 |
| Advance PNG Party |
1 |
| United Resources Party |
1 |
| One People's Party |
1 |
| National Vision for Humanity Party |
1 |
| Nation Transformation Party |
1 |
| Pipol First Party |
1 |
| PNG First Party |
1 |
| Rural Pipol's Party |
1 |
| People's Solidarity Party |
1 |
Please visit -- http://www.pngec.gov.pg
-- for more up-to-date figures that the ones shown above.
PNG Media
If a friend has given or sent you a copy of this newsletter
and you would like to keep receiving free copies then please visit http://pnggossip.com/news/index.html
for instructions on how to join the list.
Articles for this Newsletter
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To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter
queue then please click here
Some of the above are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of
Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg
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