Links
Education Related Links
Note : Korobosea Boroko East has a new web site launched only recently
-- http://www.koroboro.ac.pg
Ela Murray International School -- http://www.elamurray.ac.pg
Institute of Banking and Business Management -- http://www.ibbm.com.pg/main.html
Institute of Business Studies -- http://www.ibs.com.pg/
International Business Institute -- http://www.ibs.com.pg
International Education Agency -- http://www.iea.ac.pg
Korobosea and Boroko East School -- http://www.koroboro.ac.pg
Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
PNG Basic Education Development Program (BEDP) -- http://www.bedp.sagric.com/
PNG Curriculum Reform Implementation Project -- http://www.pngcurriculumreform.ac.pg
PNG International Training Institute -- http://www.iti.com.pg
PNG Maritime College -- http://www.pngmc.ac.pg
PNG University of Technology (Lae) -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg
POM Institute of Matriculation Studies -- http://www.pims.ac.pg/
Tabubil International Education Agency School -- http://www.tis.ac.pg
The International School of Lae -- http://www.tisol.ac.pg/
University of Goroka, Eastern Highlands -- http://www.uog.ac.pg
University of PNG -- http://www.upng.ac.pg
Workers Mutual Computer Training -- http://www.workersmutual.com.pg
Living and Working in PNG
Here is a good and up-to-date article about living and working in PNG
-- http://www.sagric.com.au/jobs/asf/More-about-PNG.pdf
Miscellaneous Web Sites
PNG Incentive Fund -- http://www.incentivefund.com.pg
PNG Advisory Support Facility -- http://www.asf.sagric.com/
UNDP Papua New Guinea -- http://www.undp.org.pg/
Manus Island Web Site
http://www.manusisland.com
-- Manus Island / Manus Province web site. The intent of this web-site
is to provide "starting points" for people looking for sources
of information about the Province of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea
[PNG].
Here is another site that displays a few photos of Manus taken in 1972
-- http://www.ussarnoldjisbell.com/ussarnoldjisbell/71westpac7/manus.htm
Manus Basin Mining
This item is from the PNGBD Web Site -- Miner Placer Dome has engaged
an American based company for a survey to establish mineral deposits
in the Manus Basin. Work has begun in the area to look for high grade
gold and other mineral deposits.
The survey carried out in the area was Placer Dome’s initial involvement
in sub sea minerals program which followed recent agreement with Nautilus
Minerals Limited of Australia. Williamson and Associates announced that
previous expeditions to the Manus Basin uncovered surprisingly rich
deposits on the seafloor for which preliminary analyses averaged close
to 13g per tonne of gold, 167g per tonne silver, 5 per cent copper,
and 22 per cent zinc from four holes drilled in to the top 5m of the
deposit. Please visit -- http://www.pngbd.com
-- for further news items.
News Items
Bougainville Copra
Reports indicate that Bougainville is exporting copra directly to Europe.
A Bankline vessel will be making monthly trips between Europe and Bougainville.
It has been reported that a vessel arrived at Kieta, (Arawa) and loaded
copra making this the first time since the Bougainville Crisis that
copra has been exported from the island.
Bougainville Common Roll
Recently a group of people removed boxes of updates to the common roll
and burnt them whilst on route to Buin. The present Governor, John Momis
has said that such action might jeopardise the coming elections for
autonomous rule of the province.
Bougainville Polls
The leaders of Bougainville have decided to allow 10 international
observers to monitor the May elections. The United Nations, the Commonwealth,
the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the European Union and Australia,
Japan and New Zealand have all expressed and interest to provide observers
at the elections.
Francis Ona
Francis Ona has made a surprise appearance on the island of Bougainville.
Mr Ona was a key figure in the rebellion that lasted over ten-years
on the island and threw the PNG economy into chaos due to its reliance
on the copper mine located on the island of Bougainville. The self-declared
"King" stepped out into the public light for the first time
in 16-years. He has reiterated that Bougainville was independent, that
there was no need for autonomy and elections and that Australia was
not welcome on Bougainville. He also visited the United Nations Observer
Mission on Bougainville (UNOMB) where he addressed the UNOMB representative
and declared Bougainville independent.
HIV /AIDS
Despite a five year K24 million HIV/AIDS program coming to an end the
Australian Government will continue to support the PNG Government's
fight against HIV / AIDS in PNG.
AIDS Deaths
Dear editor,
I enjoy reading your PNG gossip, but have a query about the item
on AIDS in the latest edition. The report that 14 people die of AIDS
every day at PMGH surely must be an error - that would be over 5000
per year, a figure certainly not consistent with 9000 confirmed cases
for the whole nation. Should it read "per week" or "per
month"?
Arthur Charles
umm, the logic used does sound like it would be per month rather than
per day. Does any reader have accurate figures? I know it is a gossip
newsletter but if it was 14 per day there would be no one left in the
country to read the newsletter.
Cattle Exports
The export of live cattle to the Philippines has the potential to earn
the country K7 million in export revenue. Over half of that amount is
expected to go back to the local farmers mostly from the Sialum area
of Morobe province. A total of 1200 head of cattle were loaded onto
the MV Molunat for the nine-day voyage to the Philippines. Due to the
increased fear of bacteria developing in frozen meat there is an increased
demand by consumers to have freshly slaughtered, unfrozen meat.
Internet Gateway Upgrade
Pacific Mobile have advertised that they plan to increase the Internet
bandwidth into PNG by 2 Mbps making a total of 10 Mbps. The extra 2
Mbps will be a direct satellite link to the USA. Presently all internet
traffic leaves PNG and goes via Australia whereas most of the web sites
being visited by surfers in PNG are in USA.
GSM Mobile Network
Pacific Mobile have also advertised that they will soon begin to upgrade
the existing GSM network to allow for an extra 100,000 users. Currently
the GSM network is restricted to a total of 50,000 users and the only
way a new user can come on line is by waiting for an existing user to
cancel their account.
Air Line Fuel Woes
The airport has been quieter than normal with a suspected drop in the
quality of fuel seeing Shell PNG having to cease the supply of fuel
until tests can be carried out on the fuel. The fuel quality issue only
relates to the present supply of fuel and not previous fuel supplies.
Air Niugini had to halt nearly all domestic flights and was only able
to fly internationally where the aircraft could tanker enough fuel from
overseas for the next overseas destination. In an unrelated story passengers
on the Narita flight had a longer than expected stay in Port Moresby
when the B767 had to turn back an hour out of Port Moresby on its way
to Japan due to instruments indicating a vibration in one of the engines.
Passengers waiting in Brisbane had to be ferried to Port Moresby using
a Fokker F100. Most of the passengers from Brisbane managed to get on
the first flight but some unfortunate ones had to wait until 9:30pm
for the F100 to return to take them back for an 12:30am arrival into
Moresby.
Shell PNG
Shell PNG released a press statement and here are the key points --
Shell rejected a shipment of jet fuel, which was uplifted from InterOil's
Napa Napa refinery to the Shell Idubada Terminal in early March, as
Shell's testing shows it does not meet the international aviation fuel
specification standards for freeze point. During Shell routine quality
control testing, the fuel failed the freeze point test. This test defines
the cold temperature behaviour of the fuel and is a critical factor
in assuring flight safety. This testing suggested a level of contamination
of the fuel and additional testing was conducted in two separate Shell
laboratories which confirmed these irregularities. Test results from
two independent laboratories were inconclusive and therefore failed
to alleviate Shell's concerns. More detailed analytical testing by Shell
and production data supplied from the refinery has identified a level
of contamination of the fuel which Shell believes is consistent with
the observed failure of the freeze point test. Shell PNG General Manager
Peter Walsh said, "We understand the significant inconvenience
this situation has caused airlines and the travelling public however
the safety of our customers and their passengers is our top priority."
"We have taken these steps to ensure we are confident that the
fuel we supply meets international aviation standards, Shell's strict
fuel quality requirements and is fit for purpose," Mr Walsh said.
InterOil is co-operating with Shell to return the off-specification
fuel to the refinery. Shell is also working on a comprehensive supply
plan to refuel regional airfields which are at critically low stock
levels. This includes investigating overseas and local supply options.
Goroka University
The graduation for the University of Goroka has had to be moved to
the 13th of May because officials, guests and graduating students have
been unable to get to Goroka for the graduation due to the fuel problems
being faced by airline operators. The graduation ceremony was supposed
to have taken place on the 23rd of March. A total of 650 students will
graduate with diplomas and degrees in teaching compared to the 381 who
graduated in 2004. Unfortunately many graduating students had already
traveled to Goroka for the ceremony and it is understood that they will
not be able to return for the official ceremony in May.
Goroka University Library
The K13 million Library at the University of Goroka will be officially
opened by the Governor General, Sir Paulias Matane. It was supposed
to be officially opened on the 23rd of March but this has been put off
until the postponed graduation ceremony on the 13th of May. The three-storey
library complex was funded and built by annual funding from the PNG
Government. It was designed by a retired library professor and modified
by a local firm and then built by Downer PNG over a two-year period.
Girls Friendly Society
What is the Girls Friendly Society? GFS or the Girls Friendly Society
is a large worldwide organisation within the Anglican church which works
mainly with young women, teaching them life skills, empowering them
for leadership roles both within the church and community and encouraging
them in their faith in Christ.
Anglican Family Resource Centre
Members of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Popondota, community
leaders, Rotarians from Australia and members of GFS Australia will
gather in Popondetta on Saturday the 2nd of April to celebrate the opening
of GFS Horukari Bande, Anglican Family Resource Centre.
The Centre will be blessed and opened by The Rt Revd Rynhold Sanana.
The National Chairman of GFS Australia (Mrs Lesley Briggs) and the Adult
Ministry Coordinator of GFS Australia (Mrs Val Gribble) will be present
and will conduct a series of workshops in the Centre, following the
opening. Mr Hein Otten, a Rotarian from Melbourne and who led the first
team of builders will attend together with his wife and family.
Members of GFS around the world have contributed to a three-year project
to complete the Resource centre and to fund training visits from members
of GFS Australia. Two teams of Rotarians from Australia have erected
the building together with men and women from the Anglican Church community
of Popondota diocese. The centre has a self contained flat and a training
area. It has been fully furnished and a library is being funded by a
member of GFS Australia.
Urban Drift
Peter Yama, the MP for Usino-Bundi, wants to reduce the rural to urban
drift. He has said that he believes that the people should return home
to participate in the development process and "spin off" activities.
He has initiated a pilot repatriation project to help slow the drift.
The exercise will initially target about 700 people mainly living in
the National Capital District's settlements. If the project is successful
he plans to introduce it into other major centres such as Lae.
East Sepik Province
East Sepik finally has a new Governor. Peter Wararu, the Member of
Parliament for Yangororu Saussia, was elected unopposed by 26 council
presidents and five National MP's. It was the first time in the history
of the Governorship that an MP has been able to secure an overwhelming
majority.
Squash Club
The Port Moresby Squash Club has announced a new committee following
the recent Annual General Meeting. The committee members are --
President: Paul Speedy
VP Bar: Jim Jenkins
VP Squash: David Whitehead
VP Social: Merlyn Alarcos
Treasurer: Derek Hunter
Secretary: To be confirmed
General Committee: Madako Suari, Ken Kaiah, Damien Tam, Mark Slade
Dawn Levy
I am sad to have to report that Dawn Levy has passed away age 77 on
the 14th of March 2005. Some of the readers of this newsletter may have
known her as she worked in Goroka, Mount Hagen and Port from 1950 until
just before Independence in 1974. She was considered a pioneer of the
Western Highlands having participated in numerous community organisations
such as with the Red Cross, the Hagen Show, Farmers and Settlers Association,
Parents and Citizens, Hagen Players, Golf Club, Pioneer Club and the
Pony Club.
University of PNG
After a recent dispute over pay two senior lecturers at the Medical
Faculty of the University of PNG have been asked to resign. The lecturers
are believed to have played an active part in a recent demand by the
National Academic Staff Association for a pay increase and a once off
payment of K650. One of the lecturers has been named as Professor Mathias
Sapuri - the Executive Dean of the Medical School.
Coming Events
Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The RSPCA of PNG will be holding its annual general meeting on,2nd
of April 2005 at the St Martin's Anglican Church Hall in Boroko.
Mining Conference
PNG's premier mining conference will be held between the 23rd and
25th of May 2005 at the Lae International Hotel. This will be the
seventh Geology, Exploration, and Mining Conference. For further information
please contact the PNG Chamber of mines -- conf[@]pngchamberminpet.com.pg
-- Telephone +675 321 2988 and Facsimile +675 321 7107.
East New Britain Cultural Festival
+ Warwagira July 4th to 12th 2005 (mostly singing/choir, string bands
groups both Ancient & Modern) followed by
" Mask Festival July 13th to 16th, 2005 (Traditional Masks and
ancient culture ONLY)
Telecommunications
Mike Manning has released the following PNG figures in the Post Courier
newspaper.
- Internet Users - 30,000
- Internet Penetration - 0.6 percent
- Internet Hosts - 439
- International Bandwidth - 8 M bit
- Mobile Telephones - 37,000
Telikom Outage
Telikom PNG suffered an outage of telecommunications for over 12 hours
recently when yet another power failure occurred at the old Boroko Telephone
Exchange. It would seem that the telecom consumers are being held to
ransom by a phone system that was one superior to many of the systems
in the region including part of the telecom system in Australia. It
is believed that there is only one power supply in PNG keeping the overseas
cable running from PNG to Australia. Telikom PNG does not have spares.
It is little consolation that the cable can be powered from the Australian
end but that is a long way for power to be provided on such a key cable.
Admittedly PNG does have satellite access to the rest of the world but
the capacity of that service could not cater for the whole country.
Both mobile and landline service were affected for the domestic and
international services.
Daltron
The sale of Daltron, established
by Bruce Dahlenburg many years ago, to rival Datec
was knocked back last year by the Independent Consumer and Competition
Commission because of fears that the combined group would have an unfair
advantage in the IT industry within the country. The Malaysian conglomerate,
MBf Holdings has announced a bid for the company through its 97.59 percent
share in Carpenter (PNG) Ltd on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange but
there has been no formal announcement in PNG as yet.
PNG Media
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