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PNG in the News
Morobe to challenge law in court -- http://www.actnowpng.org/content/morobe-challenge-law-court
MCC announces successful on load test of Ramu Nico mine -- http://giaman.com/pg/?e3682f
Air Niugini suspends operations to Nadi-Fiji -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d3f3d1
37 prisoners tested positive to TB in Kavieng jail cell -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120328/ispost01.htm
PNG govt fails to have leader case reheard -- http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8445524
Kerema LOs asking for explanations from IOC -- http://giaman.com/pg/?a07e2f
Somare men try to stop judges' suspension -- http://giaman.com/pg/?39d70b
Misc PNG Links
The final frontier for adventures -- http://giaman.com/pg/?0268c4
PNG Business Directory -- http://www.pngbd.com
Malaria and me -- http://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2012/s3468133.htm
Doug Jameson -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120328/ispost02.htm
Rabaul Museum stays a treasure -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120328/ispost02.htm
PNG Trekking Adventures -- http://www.pngtrekkingadventures.com
South Pacific Air Conditioning -- http://www.spac.com.pg
Where women fear to tread -- http://giaman.com/pg/?d989db
IPI Group -- http://www.ipi.com.pg
Blogs about PNG
The wild, wild PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?0db5ab
Women in Mt Hagen creating a dream of hope -- http://giaman.com/pg/?856b25
PNG Images
Women creating a dream of hope -- http://giaman.com/pg/?923cc7
News Items
PNG Population
The preliminary figures from the 2011 Population and Housing Census has placed the PNG population at over 7 million people or a 36% increase over the figure from the 2000 census. The figure for the National Capital District was recorded as over 318,000 people.
The figures are: -
-
Morobe - 646,876
-
Eastern Highlands - 582,159
-
Southern Highlands - 515,511
-
Madang - 487,460
-
Enga - 452,596
-
East Sepik - 433,481
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Chimbu - 403,772
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Western Highlands - 352,9343
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Hela - 352,698
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Jiwaka - 341,928
-
NCD - 318,128
-
East New Britain - 271,250
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Milne Bay - 269,954
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West New Britain - 242,676
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Central - 237,016
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Bougainville - 234,280
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West Sepik - 227,657
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Western - 180,455
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Oro - 176,206
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New Ireland - 161,165
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Gulf - 121,128
-
Manus - 50,321
Sorcery Act
The UN's special rapporteur on violence against women has called on the PNG government to repeal the nation's Sorcery Act, which she says is being used as a cover for horrific acts of violence. Rashida Manjoo has also made a blistering assessment of the way women are treated, where two-thirds of females in relationships have experienced domestic violence.
-- http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/un-calls-repeal-png-sorcery-act-4799077
Jessica Mauboy
Australian popular recording artist Jessica Mauboy has completed a successful visit to Papua New Guinea, raising funds and awareness for both Operation Open Heart and the Orchid Society of Papua New Guinea. Jessica appeared at a fundraiser hosted by Curtain Brothers (PNG) on Thursday March 22 at which over PGK800,000 was raised for Operation Open Heart. She then performed at the PNG Orchid Society Gala Dinner at the State Dining Room of PNG Parliament to an audience of around 200 people.
-- http://www.airniugini.com.pg/press-releases/jessica-opens-her-heart-to-png/
The first Operation Open Heart team arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1993.
Basinu Elementary School
The Basinu Seventh-Day Seventh-Day_Adventist Elementary School in Morobe province near Wau now has a new double-classroom and a new pit toilet thanks to the efforts of the Digicel Foundation.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/30790
Porgera Mine Problems
The big Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) mining operation in Enga province, one of the biggest gold mines in the country, had to call on the help of the government and the police after being invaded by illegal gold miners who went on a rampage through the open pit mine. Mining operation work at the open pit had to be halted until the safety of workers could be guaranteed. three were taken hostage but later released. One worker sustained serious injuries and mine equipment was damaged although the company has released no estimated cost.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?1b7e0a
The mine has since reopened.
Betel Nut Sales
Powes Parkop, the Governor of the National Capital District says a primary concern is stopping the sale of betel nut in the city. Parkop’s comment follows research by the World Health Organisation showing the growing prevalence of betel nut chewing in Melanesia and Micronesia is leading to a rise in oral cancer.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?687394
British National Arrested
A British national, from Ashford, England, who had conspired with a female employee of the Gateway Hotel and planned his own kidnapping has been arrested by members of the newly established Task Force team for two counts of violation under the Migration Act and locked up in the Boroko police cells. Members of the Task Force will come identify and lock up any foreigner found to be engaged in disreputable activities in the country and showing a lack of respect for the established laws of PNG.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120330/news02.htm
Head Shave
The Lae Cancer Relief Society "head-shave" is set for the 27th of April as part of a fund raising programme. The Society has appealed to government agencies and private companies to sponsor employees to have their head shaved. Any money raised will go towards much needed cancer awareness. For details of the head shave you can call Andrea Niblett on 7671 0202.
Filoua-Kapris Affair
The perpetrators behind the Bomana prison sex scandal involving serial bank robber William Nanua Kapris and a female warden will face the full brunt of the law, Correctional Services Minister Sai Sailon Beseo said. A furious Beseo said yesterday acting Commissioner Martin Balthasar had been told to get to the bottom of the affair at the maximum-security unit and take disciplinary action against officers.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/30837
Guard nabbed over fling with notorious inmate -- http://giaman.com/pg/?bd40c3
Freeway Re-opened
The Poreporena freeway has reopened with a temporary Bailey bridge reconnecting the two severed halves. A seven-ton tipper truck was used to test the bridge. Motorists will have to endure a single lane in each direction until repairs are completed. The freeway now has a speed hump to make sure motorists slow down for the temporary bridge.
RAVES Entertainment
Air Niugini and Royal Air Maroc are the latest airlines to sign up for the Rave in-flight entertainment system developed by California-based IMS. Air Niugini, with support from Icelandair Technical Services, is installing the IMS system on its 767s. The carrier operates three 767-300ERs and will begin installing the system next spring. IMS has now secured nine airline customers for its Rave system covering nearly 150 aircraft.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?d2bc0f
57th UPNG Graduation
Apparently the speeches drag on during the morning session and someone that had come up to view the morning session had to fly back to Australia having only listened to a couple of very lengthy speeches.
University of Goroka
The Chancellor of the University of Goroka, Ben Sabumei, has called on the government to provide more scholarships for student teachers if it wants its free education policy to work. The University recently graduated 221 teachers but could cater for many more if they were appropriately funded.
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=67262
Troop Call-Out
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has formally announced a troop call-out to the resource rich Hela region of PNG amid ongoing disruptions to mining activity.
-- http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=734941&vId=
Village Huts
Travellers heading to Papua New Guinea can now use a new booking website called Village Huts, which selects accommodation from the upper reaches of the Sepik River to the Duke of York Island. Director Chris Stevens says more than 56 guesthouses and lodges are listed and are aimed at the "self-led adventurer". Lodges are generally located in rural areas and comparable with backpacker accommodation (bedding and linen provided). Guest houses in villages are simple (sleeping bags and mats required
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?a7a6a0 -- and -- http://www.villagehuts.com
Ferry Sinking Hearing
The secretary of the PNG Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen says hearings will begin after Easter. Plans for an inquiry at an estimated cost of about six million US dollars were announced within days of the sinking and commissioners appointed but Mathew Yuangu says the government had to find the money before work could begin.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?f94f63
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=67192
The web site for the Commission of Inquiry into the capsizing and sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen can be found at -- http://mvrabaulqueen.com
PNG Thumped in Qualifier
The New Zealand Football Ferns recently took a major step towards Olympic qualification with a resounding 8-0 win over PNG Team in the first leg of their OFC Women's Olympic Qualifier final in Whangarei. New Zealand scored four goals in each half and were never threatened by the PNG team.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?4775e3
Mass MNT Vaccination
The PNG Health Ministry and international aid agencies have launched a mass vaccination of 1.8 million women and girls aged 15-45 against maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT).
-- http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=95213
Elections Resignations
About 2000 public servants have resigned to contest the elections. Many of them were prominent public servants such as former Foreign Affairs Secretary, Gabriel Pepson and former Ambassador to Japan, Michael Mawe.
Maternal Death Rate
773 mothers die from childbirth complications for every 100,000 live births in PNG every year. About 57 infants, children under one year die from every 1000 live births and 75 of the 1000 die before reaching the age of five. These figures could be higher due to many places being too remote to have access to health care services.
A Province in Paralysis
A province in paralysis is a study of governance issues in Madang. Once described as the 'prettiest town in the Pacific', Madang has deteriorated remarkably into a town and province of collapsing infrastructures, declining basic services, recurring law and order problems and inadequate government services, funding and resources.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?4ac900
2012 Elections
Once again the Prime Minster, Peter O'Neil has said the elections will go ahead with the issue of writs set down for the 27th of April. O'Neil says this is so the people of PNG could decide their own leaders. The PNG Electoral Commission also maintains the elections will go ahead as planned and the Electoral Roll is ready to be used.
In typical PNG fashion Radio Australia is now reporting the elections will be delayed by six months.
Vale Polen Amito
The Poreporena Freeway has claimed yet another life. Polen Amito lost his life on the way to work on Tuesday morning when a hit and run driver knocked him to the ground near Coca Cola. Everyone who knew him was saddened by the tragic news. Polen was employed by Air Niugini on the Jupiter project near the new Waigani Sales office and will be missed by all of his work mates on the Project, his mates at PX Info Tech and all who knew him. May he Rest In Peace. Condolences to his family and friends.
Coming Events
Note: please verify any date mentioned as dates change and events can sometimes get cancelled. Of course I may also put down a wrong date.
2012 Milne Bay Critter & Adventure Expeditions with Bob Halstead & Graham Abbott
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 17th April 2012 to 29th April 2012
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 1st May 2012 to 13th May 2012
Alotau-Adventure Diving-Kimbe Bay: 15th May 2012 to 30th May 2012
-- http://diving4images.com/trips/milne-bay-critter-cruises
South Pacific Export PNG Golf Open - May 2012?
Walk Against Corruption -- 27th May 2012
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012 - will they be postponed?
Solomon Islands welcomes you to the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts -- http://www.festival-pacific-arts.org.sb. --
From 1 to 14 July 2012
Mt Hagen Show - 11th and 12th of August 2012
Samarai and Milne Bay Reunion - Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra, Australia between the 7th and 9th of September 2012 -- http://www.loosenuts.com.au/www/index.php -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/121192744602253/
Fifth PNG Games, Kokopo, East New Britain - 17th to 30th November 2012
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Full Pacific Games - PNG 2015 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?081f78
Pacific Mini Games - Vanuatu 2017
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
PNG Media
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Articles for this Newsletter
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