Links
Don't forget to visit -- http://www.farawaypictures.com
Internet Service Providers
Daltron -- http://www.daltron.com.pg
Data Nets -- http://www.online.net.pg
Datec -- http://www.datec.com.pg
Global Technologies -- http://www.global.net.pg
HiTech -- http://www.dg.com.pg
Computer Companies in PNG
Able Computing -- http://www.able.com.pg
Daltron -- http://www.daltron.com.pg
Data Nets -- http://www.datanets.com.pg
Datec -- http://www.datec.net.pg
Global Technologies -- http://www.global.net.pg
HT PNG (formerly High Tech Industries) -- http://www.hightech.com.pg/
Remington Technologies -- http://www.remington.com.pg
Stationery Suppliers
Theodist -- http://www.theodist.com.pg
- Theodist also sell Magellan GPS Systems.
Scanning
Professional Scanning Services - ProScan Ltd -- http://www.proscan.com.pg
News Items
Mount Hagen
Police are investigating a car racket in Mount Hagen. Many cars have been
stolen and the police have been unable to find them. Police acting on a tip
off discovered nine containers of stripped down car parts and stolen vehicles
in a yard not far from the Mount Hagen police station. The Criminal Investigation
Division is currently investigating the matter.
Gambling
The national newspaper (http://www.thenational.com.pg/0927/nation1.htm)
has mentioned that according to latest figures available from the National
Gaming Control Board K50m is gambled away on pokies PNG citizens and PNG residents
every month. More than half of this figure is being gambled away in Port Moresby.
This does not include what is being spent on other gambling such as horseracing,
lotto etc.
Electronic Case Management System
An Electronic Case Management System (CMS) has been launched at the Public
Prosecutor's office. The system will be used as a performance analysis and
measurement tool for further development as well as to increase efficiency
in the delivery of services and to provide document generation.
ANZ Bank Saga
My informant has told me that the saga continues at the ANZ bank-
The ANZ saga still goes on, I went to the bank again on Monday and asked about
my Access card and "the embossing machine is still broken" was the
reply.
Having being used to not using the card I decided to transfer some money between
my linked accounts using Phone Banking, when this was tried I got the message
" you do not have any linked accounts" this is strange I thought
as I have had two linked accounts for some time.
When I rang the help desk the girl said, " we disconnect your linked
accounts when a new card is issued!!" I obviously asked when I was likely
to get my card first, then suggested that it may be a good idea to tell the
customers that they need to re register their linked accounts rather than
having them find out the hard way.
This is rather poor service from a company that is one of the major banks;
they obviously need a major overhaul of their systems if they are to keep
up with their opposition.
Rural Health
An agreement between the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Gulf
Provincial Government has been signed that will allow trainee doctors and
health professionals to use the Malalua hospital in the Gulf province as a
rural training facility. This is expected to strengthen and improve health
services in the province.
Sepik Earthquake
The Rimbunan Hijau Group of Companies has donated K10,000 to assist victims
of the earthquake in Wewak. A cheque for K550,000 has also been received from
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on behalf of the National Government for
the victims and a commitment of K100,000 has been given by AusAID to repair
parts of the Boram airport that have been damaged by the quake.
Three Tsunami experts from the United States are visiting the East Sepik
Province to assess the damage done by the recent earthquake and tsunami.
West New Britain
The West New Britain governor has been convicted and fined K2,200 for wilful
damage to property, assault, using abusive and insulting language and consuming
liquor in a public place while driving in the controversial K350,000 vehicle
he purchased recently. He has offered to compensate those he assaulted with
cash, traditional shell money and a live pig.
Many people say that the K350,000 spent on the vehicle, purchased with public
money, should have gone towards helping the victims of the recent Mt Pago
eruption in West New Britain.
Fuel Prices
A hike in fuel prices has been announced. As a result, the maximum retail price
of fuel (excluding the 10 percent Value Added Tax) at all main port centres
of Port Moresby, Lae, Madang and Rabaul are:
- Petrol will now sell at K1.79 per litre.
- Diesel will sell at K1.40 per litre and
- kerosene will sell at K1.11 per litre.
Telikom PNG
Martin Veisame, is tipped to take over as the managing director of PNG Telikom
following the resignation of Sunil Andradi. Martin is a graduate communications
engineer who has climbed up through the ranks of Telikom to become most
recently the general manager of network services within the company. --
http://www.telikompng.com.pg
Value Added Tax
A court decision has ruled that VAT - Value Added Tax is illegal and has
been since its introduction. The National Government and the Internal Revenue
Commission is running around in a flap attempting to sort the problem out.
If a fix can't be found then millions of Kina might have to be refunded.
Companies are being told to keep collecting the tax until a decision is
reached as they would be liable for any under collection if the decision
were reversed.
Salary Cuts
As suspected the pay cut for Members of Parliament would only be on allowances
and not the MPs' salary. The cuts are expected to result in savings of K2.835
million annually but would be far more if the same cuts were applied to
the salary as well.
Air Niugini
Rumours are flying around that Air Niugini has a new Board of Directors
but little is being leaked from Air Niugini management. Perhaps it is one
of the worst kept secrets in PNG? All that has leaked out so far is that
Sir Michael Bromley has left and that Joe Tauvasa has taken his place as
the Chairman of the Board. Apparently Air Niugini is waiting for the Government
to make the official announcement. -- http://www.airniugini.com.pg
Air Niugini has missed out on at least K4 million, possibly K10 million if it received all the charter work, to fly refugees from Manus to other parts of the world simply because it did not have any spare planes to do the job. They would have been paid in US Dollars as well.
Bulolo
Following AusAID assistance the Bulolo Vocational Centre (BVC) in Morobe
Province now has a new double classroom and ten electric typewriters. The
classrooms will be used to start a new Business Studies course at BVC that
has 26 girls enrolled in it.
Book Suppliers
Ross Eastgate has written to say that if anyone wants a copy of the Monckton
book (or any other book on PNG and the Pacific) Bill McGrath's Pacific Book
House on the Gold Coast can oblige. Bill is a former Kiap from the Southern
Highlands.
Website -- http://www.pacificbookhouse.com.au
and e-mail mcgrath@pacificbookhouse.com.au
Telephone -- +61 7 5539 0446 or Facsimile -- +61 7 5538 4114
Rabaul Power
Residents of Rabaul have experienced difficulties in getting electricity
from both the Warangoi hydro electricity plant and the Kerevat power station
recently. The fault was caused by a 66 kV pole on Burma Road on the way
to Rabaul being burnt down accidentally by villagers burning rubbish.
Request 1
Here is a request for help from Peter Skinner
Quote
Dear PNGers; we are researching the travels and exploits of two women, Caroline
Mytinger (aka Caroline Stober or Caroline Mytinger Stober) and Margaret
Warner, who travelled to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the
1920s and 30s.
Mytinger published three books on their exploits: "Headhunting in
the Solomon Islands," published in 1942, "New Guinea Headhunt,"
published in 1947, and a possible third book by or and about Mytinger, "With
Brush and Palette in the South Seas," published in 1930. All of the
books include illustrations, many of which are reproductions of oil paintings
that Mytinger made during her travels. Twenty-five of them were exhibited
at the American Museum of Natural History and the Brooklyn Museum in 1930.
We need to find at least some of these paintings -- so far we have located
only a few sketches, at the Monterey Museum of Art in California. We also
need any information, correspondence, or suggestions on who to contact for
further information about these ladies. It is our hope to retrace their
steps, and to document the trip with photographs. To do so, we will be applying
for grants and other funding, thus our need for more information, especially
about the location of any paintings. Thank you very much for any assistance
you might be able to give us!
Karen Huntt Mason karhma@earthlink.net
Michele Westmorland info@westmorlandphoto.com
End Quote
Marine Development
PNG has been the beneficiary of over US$350 million in marine resource development
aid from the United States. The projects target key species, coral and other
habitats and the marine ecosystems that sustain some of the highest levels
of marine bio-diversity found on the planet.
HIV/AIDS
To help reporters report responsibly on HIV/AIDS the National AIDS Council,
in conjunction with the Media Council of PNG, has launched a HIV/AIDS guide
for journalists. The latest figures available report that 300 Papua New
Guineans have died from the disease and over 4000 are currently infected.
Koki Market
The Japanese government has given K1.1 million to re-develop one of the
Port Moresby markets. The Koki market has historical significance to the
people of Central province. The project will include the construction of
a new fish shelter as well as upgrading the existing fish market, improving
the drainage system, constructing a new walkway and building a new perimeter
fence. The National Capital District Commission will contribute K400,000
towards the project.
Request 2
This edition seems to be turning into a request column.
I'm sending this email to ask if you have any material on the battle of
'Mount Prothero'(new guinea) that took place on 21-jan-1944 near shaggy
ridge. In particular: I'm looking for any reference about a soldier of the
2/12 Australian infantry battalion who was killed that day. His name was
like mine; he was my uncle. Sincerely yours, Abraham Beth-Halevy. <dyn_avc@netvision.net.il>
Lifeline Counselling
A two-week Basic Counselling Course for volunteers has just finished in
Port Moresby. The nine participants learnt skills that will enable them
to provide basic counselling services in their respective fields and communities
to people in need.
Lifeline Port Moresby is not only counselling organisation. The centre
is being set up with funding from the National AIDS Council to renovate
one of Lifeline's rundown buildings to provide home care for the people
living with the HIV virus.
Drought
Provinces in the Highlands, Mamose and parts of Manus, Central and Western
provinces have reported that they are experiencing drought conditions. All
people have been called upon to conserve whatever food they have and place
it in a secure place, and to dam waterways and irrigate gardens so they
can continue to be productive. Experts say that the drought will continue
for sometime yet.
Red Cross Blood Bank
The Red Cross need blood! The Red Cross Blood Transmission Service is urging
the public to come forward and donate blood. With Christmas and New Year
period just around the corner accidents are bound to happen so people should
be encouraged to give blood now in readiness for the festive season.
Defence Force - Airwing
The PNG Defence Force has managed to get four of its military aircraft back
in the sky. Two Iroquois helicopters and two transport planes were now considered
"fully operational" and ready for service after being grounded
for years due to lack of funds. Two helicopters and a large transport plane
remained grounded.
Defence Force
Military police are now physically checking visitor's passes and cards issued
to residents at Murray Barracks to ensure that only valid residents are
staying at the barracks. This follows a weeklong awareness week by the military
police.
Consumer Affairs Council
The Consumer Affairs Council has said that they are having trouble doing
their job due to a lack of funds. The council is incapable of sending out
any of its officers to the provinces and districts due to that fact.
Goilala Gang
A gang from Goilala in the Central Province has surrendered homemade guns
to the police and made a public apology for terrorising local communities.
Thirteen young adults from Ita village have surrendered three high-powered
homemade guns to police at the Woitape government station in the Goilala
electorate.
YWCA
The Young Women's Christian Association has lost computers and videotapes,
a photocopy machine, four extra phones and other materials when thieves
recently broke into the head office in Port Moresby. The YWCA has appealed
for the computers to be returned as they contain valuable data on many funding
projects. Projects, which will benefit many people around PNG.
Daltron
Daltron, http://www.daltron.com.pg
recently celebrated 25 years of operation in PNG. Congratulations to Bruce
and his team.
Refugee Showdown
As the October 20th deadline approaches for asylum seekers on Manus Island
Australia is hoping to extend an agreement with Papua New Guinea to process
asylum seekers past this deadline. Under the Australian government's Pacific
Solution, Australia pays Nauru and PNG to house asylum seekers while their
applications are processed. 151 asylum seekers remain on Manus Island.
Police Vehicles
Thanks to AusAid funding the police force's National Fraud and Anti Corruption
Squad (NFACS) has received aid assistance of more than K7 million. The objective
of the funding is to improve the capacity and capability of the NFACS to
fight fraud and corruption.
UPNG
The University is hoping to be able to tap into the vast wealth of knowledge
and experience of retired professors around the world. The Vice Chancellor,
Professor Les Eastcott, said the university needed more academics to boost
intellectual and academic leadership as academic leadership in many areas
has been missing for a while since many professors have departed PNG.
Forest Conservation Project
The World Bank accused the PNG Government of "squandering" a K160
million forest conservation project. The bank's anger stems from the National
Forest Services non-participation at a three-day workshop, which coincided
with the launching of the bank-sponsored Forest Conservation Project (FCP),
valued at K160 million. The FCP is aimed at making the forest sector in
PNG sustainable and will ensure that the nation's forests would survive
to provide income for future generations.
PNG Media
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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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PNG Gossip Newsletter Archive
22
Sep 2002