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PNG in the News
The National reports suspects charged with the wilful murder of pioneer businessman Sir George Constantinou have escaped from the Boroko police cells. -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/030909/nation1.php -- and -- http://australianetworknews.com/stories/200903/2511053.htm
Questions have been raised over CAA safety standards -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/030909/nation2.php
PNG Telikom vs Digicel battle escalates -- http://giaman.com/pg/?968403
One tribe challenge tour -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090217/sport01.htm
Goal bounces Boomerangs -- http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/03/13/33035_local-sport-news.html -- and -- http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20090312084401688
PNG Blogs
Pair O' Grafs' Paragraphs: Stuck in Goroka! -- http://pairografs.blogspot.com/2009/03/stuck-in-goroka.html
Feature Story by Malum Nalu -- http://giaman.com/pg/?5bbd91
Four days nicotine free and counting -- http://www.trupela.com/2009/03/14/four-days-nicotine-free/
Enga Province -- http://giaman.com/pg/?c169f0
One Requirement for Enjoying Life in Madang - Own A Boat -- http://giaman.com/pg/?462070
Madang - Ples Bilong Mi - Get Rid of Your Ghosts -- http://giaman.com/pg/?270d80
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) - Everything is broken -- http://msf.ca/blogs/ChrisH/2009/03/12/everything-is-broken/
Misc Sites
PNG New Tribes Mission -- http://www.ntm.org/png/
TE(PNG) Ltd is a company offering a diversified product ranges for the wholesale and retail markets in PNG -- http://www.tepng.com
United States Embassy - Port Moresby -- http://portmoresby.usembassy.gov
PNG Advisory Support Facility -- http://www.pngasf.com
UNDP PNG -- http://www.undp.org.pg
The Web Site for the PNG Institute of Directors gives an excellent introduction to PNG company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- http://www.pngid.org.pg
Rotary Clubs of PNG -- http://www.rotary.org.pg
Morobe Links
Morobe Tourism Bureau -- http://www.tourismmorobe.org.pg
Morobe Province - Wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morobe_Province
A database of photographs, descriptions and locations of WWII wreckage remaining in Lae, Morobe Province -- http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_morobe.html
Morobe Province Agricultural Society -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
PNG Tourism Authority - Morobe pages -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b54e0e
Morobe Provincial Map -- http://www.christianvisionpng.info/page26.htm
A legend from the Morobe Province - How the Cassowary became a Flightless Bird -- http://www.pngbd.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3620
New house under construction, Siboma village -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/40295335@N00/2920564649
News Items
Trial by Media
The top suspect in the robberies of the Bank South Pacific (BSP) has blamed the media for making people believe he was the instigator of the crimes and several others, even though evidence against him were not sufficient. He has been committed to stand trial at the National Court in Waigani in April for 18 charges relating to last year's robbery of BSP Kerema and Madang branches, his involvement in the MRO robbery; escaping from lawful custody and the murder of a policeman.
Women MP's
The three women who have been nominated for Parliament are Mary Toliman, Priscilla Kare and Annie Moitz. Ms Toliman, Ms Kare and Ms Moitz - selected from 96 applicants from throughout the country - are Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's nominees.
However the Government has so far failed to produce the numbers required to pass the historic motion to have women representatives in Parliament. The Opposition, led by Sir Mekere Morauta, voted against the motion. The Govt needed to muster a two-third majority of 73 votes in order to vote in the first woman nominee, Mary Toliman.
Many Government MP's failed to turn up for the vote. After the motion was defeated, the Government saved the bill from being removed from the notice paper by successfully rescinding the vote.
Despite totalling more than 50% of the population there is currently only one woman (Dame Carol Kidu) in parliament.
Under section 101 and 102 of the PNG Constitution Parliament is allowed to appoint marginalised groups to Parliament,
see also -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/031309/nation1.php
EU Aid
The European Commission, the European Union (EU)'s executive arm, has announced that it will provide humanitarian aid to three Pacific island countries hit by recent heavy floods. Over 50,000 people from Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea will benefit from the 700,000 Euros (910,000 U.S. dollars) aid that focuses on treating and preventing waterborne diseases, the Commission said. A Commission humanitarian expert has visited the region and identified the most urgent needs. The aid will mainly be used for provision of clean drinking water, containers, tanks, filters and purification tablets, rehabilitation of water and sewerage systems, hygiene interventions, supply of blankets, clothing, mosquito nets and plastic sheeting for temporary shelters, as well as health actions designed to treat and prevent outbreaks of diarrhoea, respiratory infection, malaria and dengue fever.
See also - K100m from EU unused -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090312/news09.htm
and - United Nations to help settlements -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090312/news10.htm
NZAID Health Grant
The New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) has committed a grant of K16 million to the National Department of Health (NDOH) for two years, starting this year. The arrangement for the grant was finalised recently after a signing by New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG Niels Holm and Health secretary Dr Clement Malau. The first part of K4 million has been made to the HSIP trust account. Under the programme, preference would be given to Morobe, Madang, East Sepik and Bougainville.
Japanese Grant for Highway
People living along the Highlands Highway in Southern Highlands and Enga provinces will benefit from a US$2 million (K5.6 million) grant from the Japanese government. The region, home to 40 per cent of the country's population, relies almost exclusively on the road network for the movement of people and their goods. The road network is, however, very vulnerable to damage due to extreme weather conditions and the mountainous terrain. The grant will be used to extend the socio-economic benefits of an improved road network by the roadside communities.
Two New Provinces
By the year 2012 PNG should have two new provinces. One called Jiwaka, a combination of Jimi, Wahgi and Kambia will be carved out of the existing Western Highlands Province. The other, Hela, will consist mainly of much of the natural resources wealth of the Southern Highlands including Tari-Pori, Koroba-Kopiago, and the Komo-Magarima electorates. The push for a separate Hela province from the Southern Highlands has been going on for many years, and now more than ever it has become an item of national importance.
see previous article from July 2006 -- www.pnggossip.com/news/g060716.html
Betel Nut Chewing
It has been claimed that betel nut is the world's most popular recreational drug. It's estimated that 400 million people regularly chew betel nut, putting it well ahead of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and marijuana as the drug of choice for the masses.
see -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d0b825
Running on Empty
The highland provinces are running out of fuel and goods due to floods and landslides. Trucks laden with fuel, machinery and goods have not been able to deliver anything because three sections of the Okuk Highway have been cut off. For several weeks trucks have not been able to get in and out of Simbu, Western Highlands, Enga and Southern Highlands. This is the fourth time in recent months the Highlands Highway had been closed to heavy traffic due to flooding and landslides.
see also -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090313/news01.htm
Hospitals and police operations in the Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Enga provinces face a critical situation as the fuel shortage in the region gets worse. see -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090313/news02.htm
World Day of Prayer
The 2009 World Day of Prayer highlighted PNG. Here are a few pages about the event
http://www.worlddayofprayer.net/wdp09.html
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/3/3/ACNS4583
http://giaman.com/pg/?2ce4f1
The symbol chosen for this year's Women's World Day of Prayer comprises the Cross and a bilum. Bilums are hand-woven string bags, which are widely used among Papua New Guinean societies. They are very strong and used to carry everything from food to a baby (who can see out through the holes in the bag!). Sometimes a bilum is suspended on the branch of a tree and becomes a cradle for a sleeping baby. Men also use bilums to carry heavy loads. Where cultures are so diverse, this simple string bag is common to many. By placing the bilum on the cross in this symbol, the women of PNG seek a unity where they are not merely held together as though they were gathered into a string bag. They seek a vibrant unity where love is genuine, and where the many, many communities of Papua New Guinea are of one heart and soul.
2009 World Day of Prayer Logo
Villagers Seek Aussie Help
Villagers from Iruupi in the South Fly area of Western province have been neglected by PNG for so long that they have to cross the Torres Strait to seek medical treatment in Australia. The villagers have the right to seek services in Australia simply by having a stamped pass as per a traditional border-crossing agreement between the Fly River provincial government and the Australian federal government.
PNG Fire Fighters
Fire-fighters in PNG have the training to carry out their jobs fighting fires and taking part in search and rescue task but they lack proper equipment. Unfortunately it is often the most basic equipment that is lacking not to mention often a complete lack of water. Trucks, pumps, protective clothing are all often purchased or donated second-hand by overseas agencies.
PNG AFL Recruits Ready
Three recruits from Kimbe, West New Britain are ready to play for the Bacchus Marsh Football Club in the Ballarat Football League in the state of Victoria, Australia. Bacchus Marsh recruited the trio through a billeting program established by AFL PNG and AFL Queensland for player development.
AFL = Australian Football League
Rugby Union Training
The Puk Puks will begin their warm-up for this year's Oceania Cup and the 2011 World cup qualifiers next month. The side will compete in three matches to be held in Queensland, Australia. All the matches will be played using the Experimental Law Variations to best prepare the PNG squad for the same playing conditions at the Oceania Cup.
Continental Shelf
PNG, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands have agreed to make a joint submission to the United Nations for the development of their extended continental shelf, the Ontong Java Plateau, a shallow region between them which is believed to have potential for minerals prospecting.
Miss PNG
Seven contestants have participated in the Miss PNG and Charity Queen contest at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby. The seven contestants were Miss University of PNG Antonia Singut, Miss Oro Filma Gadebo, Miss Ox & Palm Brigitte Wase, Miss Granville Motel Christine Kenwai, Miss Simbu Isabel Nopro, Miss Milne Bay Julie Wapi and Miss Goroka Jacqueline Saleu. Two of the entrants, Miss Oro and Miss Goroka, entered the Miss PNG Quest without sponsors but managed with the support of family members, relatives and their local communities.
Miss UPNG, Antonia Singut, took out the 2009 title of Miss PNG. Ms Singut is of mixed East Sepik and East New Britain parentage. The Miss Charity Queen title went to Brigitte Wase, who entered the quest as Miss Ox & Palm, sponsored by Hugo Canning Company Limited.
Nautical Chart Errors
The general manager of the National Maritime Safety Authority has said that PNG's nautical charts are out of date and need urgent updating. The ADB (Asian Development Bank) has previously described PNG as having 1.7 million square kilometres of sea area where only 10 per cent has been adequately surveyed, 5 per cent of which needed to be surveyed again and 85 per cent had not been surveyed at all and could not be used for maritime travel.
POMGH Kids Ward
The Filipino community of the National Capital District have recently donated K5,000 to the children's ward of the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH), which looks after children from all over PNG. The donation will be used to replace dilapidated bedside cabinets which have not been reconditioned since the hospital was built many decades ago.
Aussie Bushfires
While nothing to do directly with PNG the person writing the article was previously the Anglican Bishop of the Port Moresby Diocese and is now the Bishop of Ballarat in Victoria and a volunteer fire-fighter. So the article is semi-related to PNG and since the people of PNG have so willingly donated I thought some may be interested in this article. I certainly was.
see article -- http://giaman.com/pg/?a77e65
Coming Events
National Agriculture Council meeting -- 23rd to 27th of March in Madang
Oceania Snooker and Billiards titles in Port Moresby from the 20th to the 29th of March.
PNG Institute of Engineers (IEPNG) national conference -- 2nd and 3rd of April. IEPNG chief executive officer Benedict Mick said the purpose of the conference was to help prepare people, government and the private sector to combat any possible detrimental impact of climate change on people's livelihood, businesses, and agriculture and government services.
34th Games Fishing Association PNG National Game Fishing Titles - Madang - from the 3rd of April to 13th of April - see -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b94786
PNG Kickboxing Association has postponed its world title fight scheduled for the 25th of April.
ANZAC Day - 25th of April
Arafura Games - 9 to 17th of May -- http://www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au/
The International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific (EAP) Under 19 Cricket Trophy tournament will be held from the 1st to the 7th of June
5th National Tourism Conference -- June (date to be confirmed) - to be held at Madang Resort Hotel.
Tolai Warwagira from 8th to 14th July and Mask Festival from 15th to 18th July at Kokopo East New Britain
Trukai Olympic Fun Run -- 12 of July
PNG Remembrance Day - 23rd of July
45th Medical Symposium - Port Moresby - sponsored by the Pacific International Hospital from the 1st to the 5th of September.
31st October and the 1st of November - Morobe Show - see -- http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2009/02/morobe-show-on-again.html - also -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
2010 Morobe Show -- 23rd & 24th October
2011 Morobe Show -- 15th & 16th October (to be confirmed)
National Elections - June 2012
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - use the submission form located at -- ../misc/ctc.html.
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