P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 6 Dec 2004

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PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay

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Papua New Guinea Gossip Newsletter


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PNG Gossip Blog

 

 

 

Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
Tok Pisin English
ai eye
aiglas spectacles
aipas blind
banis ribs
banis fence
banis wall
bel belly
bel i pas constipated
belhevi regret
belisi calm (person)
bratasusa brothers and sisters
bratasusa siblings
han arm / hand
han bilong pisin wing
han bilong siot sleeve
pas stuck
pas / leta letter

 

 

Remember that this mailing list is mainly meant for people who have an interest and already know a little bit about the people and geography of Papua New Guinea. The PNG Kina, which is mentioned from time to time in this newsletter, is currently worth around 29.75 - 30.5 United States cents but varies on a daily basis.

If you are really keen on finding out what the Kina is worth a currency converter for most world currencies can be located at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/moni.html

Want to find out more about Papua New Guinea? Try searching at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo and http://www.michie.net/png_faqs. The PNG Business and Tourism Directory located at http://www.pngbd.com is also an excellent place to look for PNG information.

For those who are not so familiar with the geography of Papua New Guinea I suggest taking a look http://maps.expedia.com and then click on the find a map option. Go to this link for a quick start to a link to a map of Port Moresby. http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/pom-map.html

Also remember that the accuracy of the information in this newsletter should not be relied upon - it is, after all, a gossip newsletter.



Links

Jane's Oceania Home Page Newsletter -- http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/index.htm

http://svc015.wic118dp.server-web.com/www/html/1509-home-page.html -- The Law and Justice Sector website has been developed to provide easy access to information and services provided by the agencies and partners within the sector. The sector strategy focuses on the implementation of positive change associated with the many aspects of law and justice within PNG. A shortcut to the site can be found at -- http://www.lawandjustice.gov.pg


http://www.justice.gov.pg -- The Department of Justice and Attorney General delivers a diverse range of services that contribute to a just, safe and secure social environment for all people living and working in Papua New Guinea.


http://www.datec.net.pg/~phowley/ -- Restorative Justice - Papua New Guinea Style web site


http://www.postcourier.com.pg/misc/b3recs1.pdf -- Australian Report on PNG Aid (Post Courier)



National Disaster Centre



Do not forget to visit the fairly new web site for the National Disaster Centre that has on recently come on line. It can be found at -- http://www.pngndc.gov.pg -- The site is worth taking a look.



PNG Institute of Directors



The PNG Institute of Directors has revamped its website with the help of an AESOP Volunteer, Peter Griffin. It is an excellent introduction to PNG company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- http://www.pngid.org.pg



Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce



The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website is located at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg



South Pacific Motor Sports Club



The South Pacific Motor Sports Club web site is located at -- http://www.spmsc.org.pg -- For information about the car club, located along Waigani Drive in Port Moresby; this is the site to visit.



The Free Dictionary



The Free Dictionary has a link about PNG located at -- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Papua%20New%20Guinea


 

News Items



Police Review



A review of the Royal PNG Police Force has stated that discipline in the force is near a total collapse. The report states that there is widespread misuse and abuse of police power throughout the country. The report has listed many examples, to many to mention all of them here but some are --

Excessive and unprovoked violence when arresting suspect.

Disregard of the law by, for example, conducting raids and seizing property without a search warrant

Extortion and theft from motorists by way of illegal "on-the-spot" fines.

Destruction and theft of police property

Bailing of prisoners without issuing a bail receipt

Drunken behaviour, particularly on afternoon and night shifts etc


I am not sure how much the report cost but the average man on the street could have told the investigators the same thing in a matter of minutes without having to go to the expense of a formal report.



Undisciplined Police Force



Deputy Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, has been charged with investigating the alleged assault of an Asian Businessman and his son as reported in a previous edition of the PNG Gossip. -- ../news/g041126.html#upf -- Mr. Baki is now probing the allegations that six members of the Southern Command police mobile squad carried out the assault. It has also been alleged that one of the policemen fire 4 rounds from a rifle into the ground at the feet of the businessman.



Defenceless Post



The base used by PNG soldiers in Vanimo and built by the Australians in 1952 is so poorly equipped that the PNG Defence Force Soldiers can respond sufficiently to any major incidents or emergencies along the PNG - Indonesia border. According to Captain Malom Lahep the soldiers do not even have basic gear such as uniforms, footwear, ammunition, rations and even allowances. The soldiers rely on help from local villages.



2005 Budget



The 2005 Budget has been passed on voices by Parliament. The Opposition may dispute the procedure, used to pass the budget, in the Courts. The Opposition claims that the Organic Law clearly stated that the Budget must be voted by party resolutions. The Opposition appeared to be in some sort of disarray when a few members of the opposition voted with the government to pass the Budget.



Air Niugini



By the time this newsletter is read Air Niugini will have taken delivery of a loan Fokker F100 aircraft. This will be the second Fokker F100 for the company. Its own second plane has been delayed so it has had to hire another aircraft from Alliance Airlines in Australia. -- http://www.allianceairlines.com.au. -- The aircraft is believed to be VH-FWH that has already seen duty in PNG painted in Alliance colours but this time it will be seen flying from Lae to Port Moresby and Cairns and return in Air Niugini livery. The existing Air Niugini aircraft, P2-ANA, will be flying to Rabaul, Hoskins and Mt Hagen from Port Moresby with the understanding that it can be pushed into service to do the Cairns flight if the loan plane breaks down. Once Air Niugini receives its second F100 aircraft it will be registered as P2-ANB.



Transparency International



Transparency International is concerned about the methods used to dismiss and often reinstate senior public servants. In recent times there has been many cases of senior public servants being dismissed for various reasons and then having to be reinstated after a court case has found no reason for dismissal. Transparency International is aware of management problems within the public service and the need to improve the public service image.



PNG Awards



PNG is introducing its own honours system to replace the Imperial (British) Honours System that has been in use in the country since Independence in 1975. The awards will be known as the Order of Logohu and will be modelled on the British Imperial system. "Logohu" is a Motuan word for the national symbol of PNG - the Bird of Paradise. Cabinet has now approved the new awards and honours system and the first awards will coincide with the country's 30th Independence anniversary in September 2005.



Counterfeit Goods



People residing in PNG have been warned against buying pirated or counterfeit goods entering the country from Asia. People are warned to be careful when buying goods such as Adidas or Puma shoes, Rolex or Seiko watches and Levis jeans sold in shops throughout the country. These goods are sometimes called "copy" products.



World AIDS Day



Some facts put forward about HIV/AIDS in PNG.

PNG has the highest reported rate of HIV infection in the Oceania Region.

There have been 8262 confirmed HIV cases in PNG

It is estimated that there could be as many as 50,000 people living with HIV in PNG.

If no effective action is taking now there will be 1.5 million HIV cases in 10 years time.

One of three people living with HIV in PNG is between the age of 15 and 30 years old.

90 percent of married women, who have HIV, have been infected by their husbands.

The main form of HIV transmission in PNG is through unprotected sexual intercourse.



Manam Island



Lutheran shipping has helped to evacuate many people from volcano-devastated Manam Island to the PNG mainland. Rescue officials hope to be able to evacuate all the 9600 people living on the island. The eruption has covered all food crops and water with volcanic ash, lava and stones. Manam Island is only 10km wide and 13km long with villages scattered along the edges of the central volcano. The volcano is considered to be one of the world's most active volcanoes erupting at least 30 times since 1616



Kokopo



Villagers in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, have been urged to grow fast growing vegetables in their own back yards as cash crops to earn an income. Village farmers are urged to make greater use of available soil to increase vegetable harvests and also their incomes.



School Enrolments



The education department hopes to be able to increase the numbers of girls enrolled at schools by next year. The department and UNICEF are working together through the Accelerating Girls Education program to increase the opportunity for both girls and boys to go to school and to stay at school.



Engan Chefs



Two chefs from Enga are being given the opportunity to undergo a six-week training course in Australia. The two chefs will be based at the Holiday Inn in Darwin, Australia to experience the various culture and cuisine offered overseas.



Port Moresby Detainees



People detained at Port Moresby Jail will now have refurbished facilities thanks to the efforts of AusAID and K1.3 million. AusAID has funded the renovation of seven dormitories, four detention cells, two toilets and a new mess. It is hoped that this will secure humane conditions for the detainees. The original facilities were built in the 1960's and have not had any maintenance work for the last 40 years.



Port Moresby Physiotherapy



The physiotherapy ward at the Port Moresby Hospital has been renovated and reopened to patients. The Target Communities Development funded the renovations.



Telikom PNG



The much talked about sale of Telikom to EcoNet has had a spanner thrown in the works by Arthur Somare the Governor for East Sepik. Arthur Somare has led a vote to stop the Econet deal in Parliament. 55 Members of Parliament voted for the block and only 19 voted against it. If the move had failed Mr Somare was prepared to take the matter to court because the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) failed to follow sections of the IPBC Act that stipulated that the IPBC must have the written consent of the National Executive Council before disposing of any state owned entity.



Lobster Ban



A ban on the collection of lobsters from the Torres Strait has been implemented and will apply from the 30th of November right through to the 31st of March next year in a bid to allow the regeneration of tropical rock lobsters. The ban also extends to prawns as well. The lobster and prawn industry is estimated to be worth as much as K30 million annually.



Leadership Tribunal



A Leadership Tribunal has recommended that Usini-Bundi politician Peter Yama be dismissed from office. The tribunal is to write to the Governor General to certify the dismissal. Mr Yama was found guilty of three out of 34 charges on the 10th of November involving more than K22 million.



Languages of PNG



PNG has three national or official languages -- they are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin and English. Overall in the whole of PNG the number of languages listed equals 832. Of those, 823 are living languages and nine are considered to have become extinct in the last fifty years as some groups are absorbed into others and more influence is exerted by tok pisin speakers to make it a truly national language for the country.



Grade 10 Exams



The students that have just completed Grade Ten and those that have been lucky enough to receive a certificate for successfully completing the examinations will be the last ones to do so. In the future there will be no certificate until a student has completed Grade Twelve. Next year those who have Grade Ten certificates will not be able to enter tertiary institutions as the entrance requirement has now been raised to Grade Twelve level.



Mt Hagen Hospital



The Mt Hagen General Hospital has officially opened a four bedroom doctors on call facility located within the wards. The hospital has implemented this to hopefully save more lives because by having doctors close by. Many of the doctors live a long way away from the hospital and find it difficult to get to the hospital in times of emergency.



Aussie Cops



The first of the police from Australia are now out on the streets of Port Moresby helping the local police patrol over the hectic Christmas period. Crowds of people turned up to witness a formal parade before the start of the patrols. The police have been patrolling in groups of four consisting of two Aussies and two PNG police. One of the first areas to see the combined patrols has been the Gordon's market area, a known haven for pickpockets and petty criminals.



Road Safety Campaign



Careless motorists have been warned by the National Road Safety council to be on their best behaviour over the coming festive season. The Safety council's road safety campaign has begun and will go through to the 2nd of January next year. It is expected that by the time you read this newsletter policemen, from Australia, under the Enhanced Cooperation Programme will be assisting local police at roadblocks around the town of Port Moresby. That will make interesting viewing. Will the ECP Police be serious about their job or just out to collect a bit of extra Christmas revenue for the government?



Maritime Agreement



The K14.22 million maritime aid agreement has been signed by the Governor General, Sir Paulias Matane. The first phase will include four major construction sites. The money will be used to restore existing navigation aids, establish new ones, open new channels and establish a national hydrographical service and an autonomous maritime safety entity.



St John Ambulance



Haven't heard from this organisation for a while. It usually runs out of money on various occasions throughout the year and the ambulance service grinds to a halt. Is this just the calm before the storm or is everything running okay? A recent report says that the service is now back from the brink or so says Chief Commissioner Doug Kelson. The service caters for over 300,000 people in the National Capital. Two new ambulances are being set up to the Queensland, Australia, Ambulance Service (QAS) standard. The two vehicles were donated by the QAS, the Rotary Clubs of Port Moresby and Boroko and the PNG Chamber of Commerce.

The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website can be found at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg -- Rotary Clubs PNG -- http://www.rotary.org.pg -- and -- http://www.pomrotary.org.pg/ -- Port Moresby Rotary Web Site.



Brian Bell Plaza



The Brian Bell Plaza at Boroko will commence staying open late on Thursday nights,. The shop will be stay open until 8pm every Thursday leading up to Christmas.






PNG Media


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-- THE END --

Some of the ways of saying "that's all" are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg

If you can add to this list then please send email to PNG-News@pnggossip.com

 






Created 6 Dec 2004
Updated 6 Dec 2004

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