Links
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Port Moresby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Moresby -- http://wikitravel.org/en/Port_Moresby
http://rds.yahoo.www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/port_moresby.html
http://portmoresby.anglican.org
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9060933/Port-Moresby
http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/snaps1.html
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/port_moresby.htm
http://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/portmoresby.htm
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_moresby.html
http://www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide_tpa/prov_ncd.html
Misc
Divine Word University -- http://www.dwu.ac.pg
Diwai Pacific Limited -- http://www.diwaipacific.com.pg
News Items
PNG in the News
Goroka Festival. Highland Warriors in Papua New Guinea 25 years ago -- http://community.dcmag.co.uk/photos/kevinrosss_gallery/picture507870.aspx
Papua New Guinea Orchid Festival Tour -- http://vleeptronz.blogspot.com/2007/07/papua-new-guinea-orchid-festival-tour.html
Back in Alotau -- http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mgibb05/new-guinea-2007/1184530080.html
Farewell to PNG - Alotau -- http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mgibb05/new-guinea-2007/1184940600.html
Local teacher feels the heat -- http://www.abc.net.au/milduraswanhill/stories/s1982275.htm?backyard
Goroka Vacation Reviews -- http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g304034-Goroka-Vacations.html
Police Commissioner Attacked
The Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, is nursing wounds after being attacked by five men while on his daily morning walk in Port Moresby recently. He is nursing back pains after sustaining hand and knee injuries. He was confronted by five men who had knives, a homemade pistol and chains while he was jogging. Mr Baki said the isolated attack was the work of opportunists who ran off when they realised he was the Police Commissioner. He said this has now given him the drive to really get his men to look at the problem and to try and address it for the sake of other innocent members of the public.
Sustainable Development Forum
The following news item has come in from Sheryl Moriarty.
The recent worldwide focus on sustainable development and climate change, as well as the surge of interest in PNG's natural resources, has prompted Divine Word University (DWU) and its partners to host PNG's Prospects for Sustainable Development forum. The forum is an opportunity to make inquiry into issues concerning development, particularly focusing on extractive resources industries, through consultation and participation between all stakeholders. For more information visit the university website at -- http://www.dwu.ac.pg -- and follow the Conference link.
Government Formation
Former prime ministers Sir Julius Chan and Sir Mekere Morauta and former treasurer Bart Philemon are seeking Supreme Court orders to stop the election of the prime minister on Monday, pending a Supreme Court reference of the substantive matter. The substantive matter includes seeking a court order declaring the process of invitation by the Governor-General to the party with the largest number of elected members to be invalid.
Sir Julius Chan, Sir Mekere Morauta and Bart Philemon have claimed that the National Alliance (NA) Party has no legally-elected parliamentary leader. The NA constitution states that "immediately after the return of writs after a general election but before the first meeting of parliament to elect the leadership of the party". The three claim that the NA has not had such a meeting and the assumption of leadership by Sir Michael Somare was illegal as it was not in accordance with the NA constitution.
They also claim that under the NA constitution, Michael Somare is not eligible to contest the leadership because the NA constitution states that no Member of Parliament may serve as parliamentary leader consecutively for more than two terms. Michael Somare has been leader of NA for two parliamentary terms, since 1997. Therefore in their opinion he is disqualified from being nominated.
Police will be out in full force to deal with any trouble-makers during the formation of the new Government.
Carterets Island
The isolated Carterets islands have been cut off from Buka after supporters of a losing candidate confiscated their only passenger boat recently. The boat was donated to them last year under a "member project scheme" to ferry passengers between the Carterets island and Buka town.
The 2550 Carterets Islanders have no food on the island due to the rising sea levels. The soil on the island has been affected by rising sea water and the villagers are no longer able to make gardens as any vegetables grown were dying.
Operation Open Heart
A total of 53 doctors, nurses and support staff have arrived in Port Moresby from Australia for the annual Operation Open Heart (OOH) program. The OOH program, started 14 years ago, will see approximately 60 heart patients undergo intensive surgery in the coming days. Many in the team have paid their own airfares and applied to take leave from their normal jobs in Australia. Seventy-five percent of the members of the Australian medical team have been to PNG before, while the rest have come for the first time.
Dr Jacobi
Here is a bit of news about a former, well known doctor around town
QUOTE
You'd scarcely believe this bit of Goss! I ran into Jabber Jim Jacobi when I went to have my sunspots burned here in Briz. Just saw him emerge from a surgery. Hasn't changed a bit. He's still "practising" as a GP! :-! ;-)
He is in a Practice in Chermside. You might like to include it as a "Sighting" in your next edition (after you get back from the World Trip).
END QUOTE
Australian Citizens
All Australian citizens visiting Papua New Guinea, especially those walking the historical Kokoda Track, are being encouraged to register with the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby. Australian High Commissioner to PNG Chris Moraitis says registration information will help them locate their citizens in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue. "Some visitors, including those who walk the Kokoda Track, assume that registration occurs automatically when they get a passport or a visa to come to PNG. This is not the case. Registering with the High Commission must be self motivated," said Mr Moraitis. Online registration is available at -- http://www.smartraveller.gov.au -- Tel: 675 325 9333 ext 240 or Email: ahcpmsb_consular@dfat.gov.au
RD Tuna
Here is an old item and may be out of date -- MarineNetPNG -- http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/marinenetpng/ -- has reported that the RD Tuna has been ordered to close by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) for alleged breaches of health standards. The closure of the cannery left more than 3500 production workers from both the cannery and the ice plant at Vidar Passage without work since.
Bank of PNG Profit
The Governor of the Bank of PNG, Wilson Kamit, has said that the Bank made a massive net profit of K101 million for the year ended 31st of December, 2006. From the profit the bank paid K33 million as first instalment dividend to its only major shareholder, the state. Mr Kamit said the huge profit was due to the efforts of every one in the bank including the "hardworking directors" he headed as chairman.
Airlink
Staff of Airlink in Madang are seeking redress over the retrenchment payments they have received when the company recently closed abruptly. The planes previously operated by Airlink have been flown to Goroka where it is believed they will be used by a new company to provide charter and freight services.
Petrol Prices
Petrol prices have fallen but the same can not be said for users of diesel and kerosene. The decrease by 1.6 toea a litre for petrol has been attributed to the improved PNG kina against the United States dollar. Petrol is selling at K3.21 in Port Moresby and K3.32 a litre in Lae. The price for diesel in Port Moresby will be K2.53 a litre and for Lae K2.65 a litre.
Coming Events
The 46th Mt Hagen Cultural Show will be held at the Kagamuga Showgrounds on the 18th and 19th of August 2007. Last year more than 250 bona-fide tourists visited the show in 2006 over the two day period. It is anticipated that this figure will be beaten this year. the Mt Hagen Show moved from its original site in Mt Hagen itself to the Showgrounds after PNG independence in 1975 -- http://eventsuk.britishairways.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=31325
XIII South Pacific Games -- August 2007. To be held in Samoa
Lukim PNG NAU Tourism Expo -- 9th to the 11th September
National Tourism Conference -- 12th of September
Hiri Moale Festival, Port Moresby - National Capital District -- 13th to 17th of September
The Tourism Promotion Authority has the following to say about the popular annual Hiri Moale Festival.
It will be held at Ela Beach in Port Moresby and organisers say the event, which depicts the historical significance of the Hiri trade between the Motuan people and their Gulf neighbours to the west, will be bigger and better this year. As in the past, the symbol of the Hiri Moale Festivals today remains the giant double-hull Lakatois (canoes) which plied these waters risking many lives over many months to trade fish for food from the west. Today, the Lakatois (sometimes spelt lagatois) are sailed into Ela Beach by certain chosen villages accompanied by singing and dancing. A highlight of the Hiri Moale Festival is the Hiri Hanenamo or Hiri Queen quest.
5th Luk Save Art Show will be held at the Royal Papua Yacht Club, Port Moresby -- 15th - 16th September
PNG 30th Independence Day Celebrations -- 16th September
Goroka Show -- 16th to the 18th of September
National Cultural Commission Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Port Moresby -- from the 26th to the 28th of October
Morobe Show, Lae -- 27th to 28th of October
The Milne Bay Canoe and Kundu (drum) festival is to be held in November from the 2nd to the 4th.
Do you have an event that you want advertised? Send email to -- PNGNews[@]pnggossip.com
PNG Media
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