Links
Miscellaneous Links
PNG Society of Eminent Scholars and Professionals -- http://www.vortexpng.co.nr
Expats
Expat Expert -- http://www.expatexpert.com/.
-- An interesting site for "expats"
Election Links
For those following the elections in PNG do not forget to visit the
Electoral Office website located at -- http://www.pngec.gov.pg/
-- from there navigate to the by-election pages and you will see the
results or lack thereof! For example the results of the current NCD
Regional Seat election can be found at -- http://www.pngec.gov.pg/byelectnationalcapitaldistrictprovbyelection2006.html
World Surfaris
World Surfaris has a few pages devoted to surfing in PNG and they can
be found by navigating to -- http://www.worldsurfaris.com/2002/png/png_home.asp
Alotau
News Items
Give a Bloke a Fair Go
The following article has been contributed by a reader and has been
reformatted to suit the layout of the newsletter.
I have just returned from Kiriwina in the Trobriands where the teachers
have not received a toea of their salaries for almost 2 months.
Disgraceful and disgusting can best describe the Waigani bureaucracy
which ill serves those who are devoted to the next generation. The teachers
are now forced to rely on sustanence from their gardens. This pattern
is endemic within PNG. It appears that the teachers service commision
is run by colonial savage idiotic "dim dims" in black skin.
Within the teachers bureaucracy there are choice examples not to mention
many politicians who are tarred with the same brush. Excuses, buck passing
no captainship and fractured bureaucracies are a feature of PNG since
colonial times. Fingers in the pie and millions of kina going astray
are always babbled about in the press without any real change while
the leadership plays musical chairs with ministerial positions.
Meaningless sackings, nepotism greed all play their part in the PNG
government since colonial times. In Australia a true democracy where
by law 100% of the population must vote {unlike the united states} there
are efficient checks and balances between government power, bureaucrats
and a mighty trade union movement. The people have real power unlike
the face of Moresby's parliament which falsely boasts of power to the
people.
There are many features of an oligarchy cum theocracy in the way PNG
is run. A firm look at the present NCD elections shows bungling, bribary,
fighting and the theft of ballot papers. Truly a sham which makes PNG
the laughing stock of the world. If PNG is to rise above a failing third
world culture there must be a total emotional and mental transformation
out of passive malaise of colonial submission to real action on the
ground.
No checks and balances and bad governance are all part of the equation,
not unlike the "luddites" in early England who destroyed farm
machinary and modern methods of agriculture in their frustration and
anger. Hooray to the teachers who have the guts to jump out of compliance
and submission and go on strike. In Australia we have a Ned Kelly tradition
which is deeply suspicious of wealth and power which was part of the
British colonial empire. PNG must rise above these attitudes if it is
to lift itself out of a third world failing society and not become the
laughing stock of the modern world.
The future is in the hands of both the people and government of Papua
New Guinea.
best wishes. Dr Adam Rosenblatt
National Museum
The National Museum and Art Gallery are in trouble yet again for not
keeping records of more than 30 war relics that have been sold. An enquiry
by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has also discovered that the
sales were in direct breach of the Public Finance Management Act and
financial instructions. Under the War Surplus Materials Act, all war
surpluses are State property and lawful procedures must be followed
when dealing with them. The
New Treasurer
PNG has a new Treasurer, Sir Rabbie Namaliu has replaced Bart Philemon
as the treasurer of the country. Mr Philemon has told Sir Rabbie to
learn to say NO in 800 languages of PNG to all requests
for money in the run up to the elections.
How many readers can help by supplying the word or words that mean
"no" in their local tok ples? - Only PNG languages
thanks. Please send your words to -- PNGNews[@]pnggossip.com
Potholes
What are the cost of potholes around the country? How much money are
motor vehicle repairers raking in on having to fix failed suspension
and accident damage due to potholes? A Waterboard vehicle in Lae crashed
into a storm drain outside the Bugandi Secondary School recently. The
driver claimed that he had to dodge an oncoming vehicle that was itself
dodging potholes. A bystander explained that the pothole was forcing
city-bound vehicles to swerve onto the opposite lane forcing oncoming
traffic to take evasive action and end up in the storm drain. Is that
justice a Waterboard vehicle in a storm water drain?
Elections
Yet another fiasco. There have been claims of double voting, candidates
being under the legal age to contest an election, names not on roll,
not allowed to vote on Sunday and the list of errors goes on and on.
The courts have now ordered that there be two more days of bedlam so
that voters can get an opportunity to vote. Some of the voters I have
spoken to, and they are all long term residents of Port Moresby, have
told me horror stories. Policemen threatening them for coming at 2pm
instead of early in the morning, Another person was threatened with
a rifle because they asked why the couldn't vote even though they have
been residing in the same house for 20 or more years and have been voting
all that time. The papers have listed other horror stories.
Overall though it would seem that the elections went well because on
eight people were arrested in the National Capital for election-related
incidents and these people have been released. A candidate in the Koroba-Lake
Kopiago by-election has been arrested for allegedly stealing 400 blank
ballot papers.
http://www.pngec.gov.pg
Unmanned Border
The border patrol post between Wutung in Sandaun province and Papua,
Indonesia is unmanned between 6pm and 8am but that doesn't really matter
because there are no other patrol posts along the border and anyone
can cross at whatever time they want. During the day there are five
men manning the patrol post. Commodore Peter Ilau, the PNG Defence Commander
has instructed his men to man the post 24 hours a day until the other
stakeholders can come up with an effective solution.
Unfair Migration Policy
Australian Greens Senator Kerry Nettle says that Australia's closed-door
policy on Indonesian Papuan asylum seekers could unfairly burden PNG
where Papuan refugees already struggle to survive. She says an influx
of asylum seekers into PNG would stretch the country's thin resources
and make things difficult for all concerned.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Migration-policy-hurts-PNG-says-Nettle/2006/07/14/1152637838303.html
Earthquake
A moderate quake measuring 5.6 shook the New Britain region of the
country early on the 13th (July 2006), but there were no immediate reports
of casualties or damage. The epicentre was 110 kms west of Kandrian
at a depth of 67 kilometres.
Air Niugini
The third Fokker F100 (P2-ANC) is ready for regular passenger service.
(see story below). The loan Qantas Boeing B767 being
operated by Air Niugini,while their B767 is undergoing routine maintenance
in New Zealand, has proved to be even more unreliable than the Air Niugini
one. Passengers in Singapore the other night had to sit on board for
over two hours while Qantas basically did a full restart of the plane.
Passengers coming from Sydney a few days later were once again delayed
due to technical issues. The plane was even late for its final appearance
wuth the airline.
Hong Kong
Air Niugini is planning to return to Hong Kong after many years absence
on the 8th of August 2006. The initial flights will be scheduled via
Manila. Air Niugini is also hoping to fly one of the Fokker F100's to
Fiji via Honiara. Meanwhile Airlines of PNG have had pictures of a Boeing
B767 plane in their colours displayed on the front page of the Post
Courier. Two doctored versions of the photo have circulated. One with
a chequered tail and one with a plain tail - I believe this was knocked
up by the son of the Airlines of PNG Sales and Marketing Manager. Rumours
of Airlines of PNG joining with Australian Virgin Blue seem to have
almost all died out. The 8th of the 8th has special significance for
the Chinese.
Cabin Smoke
A Fokker F100 (P2-ANC) has experienced in flight problems on a trip
from Lae to Port Moresby. A passenger sitting mid-cabin reported smoke
in the cabin and a smell of burning rubber. Air Niugini confirmed the
incident but could only say what the problem was with the air conditioning
equipment. The report in The National praised the cabin crew
for being "good and professional". -- The "new"
Air Niugini site has a press release --
http://www.airniugini.com.pg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=2
Corrupt Provincial Govt
It has been stated by an Ombudsman that the East New Britain Provincial
Government is one of the most corrupt in PNG. Ombudsman Peter Masi told
the Gazelle district councillors and public servants recently that Ombudsman
Commission had to look into 74 cases involving the ENB provincial government.
Other provinces with outstanding cases to be processed were the Morobe
provincial government 112 cases, Central 94, Western 51, Gulf 51 and
Southern Highlands province 51 - all dealing with corrupt practices.
Anglican Bishop
Anglican Bishop, Peter Fox has said farewell to PNG. He served four
and a half years as Bishop of the Anglican Port Moresby Diocese. His
farewell message can be found at -- http://portmoresby.anglican.org/bishop/farewell2006.html
Nazarene
The Nazarene Church has celebrated their 50th anniversary in PNG. The
first Nazarene Church was established at Kudjip, South Wahgi district
of the Western Highlands Province by the pioneer missionaries Sidni
Knox and his wife Wanda from Kansas City on the 9th of January, 1956
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital -- http://www.kudjipnazarenehospital.org/needs.asp
South Korean Development
South Korean companies are seeking access to copper and natural gas
development rights in PNG in an effort to secure stable supplies of
the resources. The move follows a visit by South Korea's Vice Energy
Minister Lee Won-geol and representatives of local businesses to PNG
recently.
Medical Research
New research suggests a common childhood virus is a previously unknown
contributor to childhood anaemia. An estimated one million children
die of anaemia each year, mostly in the developing world. The study
appears in the July 15 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
The PNG Institute of Medical Research and the University of Sydney in
Australia have conducted the research. -- http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/67h138323290050.html
New Provinces
With elections looming rapidly around the corner there is currently
a push, that is gaining momentum, for separate provinces for Hela in
the Southern Highlands, Jiwaka in the Western Highlands and to divide
Morobe in half as well as to make the National Capital District a province.
There is currently a pending submission before cabinet to declare Hela
and Jiwaka and possibly a separate Morobe province before next year's
elections. Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye has been quoted as saying
"the plan was to get the legislative framework in place to make
the declarations before next year's elections and worry about the technical
details later."
See update March 2009 -- g060716.html
Stranded Coffee
There is currently more than 400 tonnes of parchment coffee in rural
areas waiting to be moved to factories. If the coffee is not moved then
the country stands to lose K15 million in export earnings at the current
price of K6 per kg for green beans. The PNG Defence Force Arava aircraft
was supposed to have been able to move this backlog of coffee under
the government's green revolution exercise but this seems to have been
almost a complete failure.
GCPNGC
Gold Coast Papua New Guinea Club, Inc -- PO Box 951, Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217, Australia
Coming Events
International Orchid Spectacular - Parliament House, Port Moresby 5th
and 6th of August 2006
Enga 2006 Cultural Show will be held at the Mommers Oval in Wabag town
on the 11th, 12th and 13th of August.
Air Niugini - Port Moresby / Manila / Hong Kong and return -- 8th August
2006
The Institute of PNG Studies Exploratory Workshop - September.
42nd PNG Medical Symposium will be held in Madang from the 4th to the
8th of September 2006 -- http://www.medsymp.org.pg
PNG 31st Independence Anniversary - 16th September 2006
Annual Hiri Hanenamo Quest and Hiri Moale Festival - 16th September
2006
Goroka Show -- 16th and 17th of September 2007
Kiwi Ball - The fabulous ball held by the Kiwi's will be held on the
28th October this year. This year the New Zealanders hope to have a
five-piece band to entertain the crowd
Morobe Show -- November 4th and 5th
Milne Bay Kundu and Canoe Festival -- 6th to the 12th of November 2006
PNG Media
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