P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 24 Oct 2002

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PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay
Welcome to the Papua New Guinea Gossip - 24 Oct 2002

A very special welcome is extended to any new readers. If you have comments or suggestions to make then please use the contact form.

C O N T E N T S

 

Articles for this newsletter

To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter -- please use the contact form

Remember that this mailing list is mainly meant for people who have an interest and already know a little bit about the people and geography of Papua New Guinea. The PNG Kina, which is mentioned from time to time in this newsletter, is currently worth around 22 - 23 United States cents but varies on a daily basis.

If you are really keen on finding out what the Kina is worth a currency converter for most world currencies can be located at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/moni.html

 

 

Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
Tok Pisin
English
gumi inner tube
guria earthquake
hevi heavy
hevi / wari guilt
pis fish
hukim pis catch fish
tinpis tinned fish
praipan frying pan
rais rice
prairais fried rice
pukpuk crocodile
rausim / troimweim throw away
san sun
snek snake
winim win
yia year

Want to find out more about Papua New Guinea? Try searching at http://www.michie.net/pnginfo and http://www.michie.net/png_faqs. The PNG Business Directory at http://www.pngbd.com is also an excellent place to look for PNG information.

For those who are not so familiar with the geography of Papua New Guinea I suggest taking a look -- http://maps.google.com -- and then click on the find a map option. Go to this link for a quick start to a link to a map of Port Moresby. http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/pom-map.html

Also remember that the accuracy of the information in this newsletter should not be relied upon - it is, after all, a gossip newsletter.



Links


If you are looking for information about Michael Somare, the Prime Minister of PNG, then pay a visit to -- http://www.pm.gov.pg/pmsoffice/PMsoffice.nsf

If you are interested in music from PNG by PNG artists then I suggest taking a look at the Haus Boi web site located at http://www.hausboi.com. I believe that this is the first web site devoted solely to a PNG band.

http://www.pitic.org.au -- Pacific Island Trade and Investment Commission.

The Papua New Guinean chapter of Transparency International -- http://www.transparencypng.org.pg

Another good web site to visit is Ples Bilong PNG on the World Wide Web -- http://www.tokpisin.net

Port Moresby Golf Club has a web site located at -- http://www.pomgolf.org.pg/



Accommodation Links

The website for the Magila Motel, Backpackers & Women's Hostel is at http://www.magila.com.pg. The Magila Complex is conveniently located at Six-Mile, Magila Road, Port Moresby - the capital city of Papua New Guinea. It is only four (4) kilometres from the Jackson's Airport (international and domestic terminals) and has easy access to downtown Port Moresby, Boroko and Waigani business districts.

Tree House Village -- For those who want a truly tropical style accommodation package then I suggest the exotic Tree House Village. The village is about 15 minute along the scenic Buluminski Highway from Kavieng in the New Ireland province. If anyone wants further details then please write to Tree House Village, PO Box 351 Kavieng, PNG. Phone +675 984 2666 / facsimile +675 984 2693 or email albeck@global.net.pg.

Haus Poroman in Mt Hagen has a website located at http://www.hausporoman.com.pg.

Nusa Island Retreat -- http://www.nusaislandretreat.com.pg

Kaivuna Hotel resort -- http://www.kaivunaresort.com

The following link will take you to the Coral Sea Hotel website which covers these hotels around PNG.

http://www.coralseahotels.com.pg - They also look after Budget Rent a Car.

Haus Poroman (accommodation) in Mt Hagen has a website located at http://www.hausporoman.com.pg



Dive Links

If you are interested in diving in PNG -- then any of the following websites should be of interest to you -

Note: -- the diversionoz web page, with dive information on PNG, has been completely revised and can be found at http://diversionoz.com/en/png.htm

Quoting from the web page
PNG is a dream of divers. Crystal clear waters, "paradise islands", and mountain ridges covered with thick rainforests or spectacular volcanoes provide an exclusive setting for the best dive vacations imaginable
End Quote

The web site for the Port Moresby Stock Exchange can be found at -- http://www.pomsox.com.pg



More Links

If you are looking for logging or conservation on Woodlark (Muyuw) Island take a trip to -- http://www.ulb.ac.be/soco/apft/GENERAL/PUBLICAT/RAPPORTS/YOUNG.HTM

An interesting view of Port Moresby -- http://www.fourmilab.to/cgi-bin/uncgi/Earth?lat=9d26m9s&ns=lSouth&lon=147d13m0s&ew=East&alt=200

This site -- http://www.geocities.com/edbooth_1, -- By Edwin O. Booth, is dedicated as a resource to the Veterans of WW II and their families and friends ... and to the citizens of Bougainville who assisted the Americans in WW II. Special attention is given to personnel of the Americal and the 37th Infantry Divisions. It offers a generous selection of publications related to the Islands as they were in the old days, as well as updates on current information and facilities.

 


 

News Items


Coming Events



Erema Papmai Provincial Cultural Show - will be held from the 25th to the 27th of October 2002, in Kerema, Gulf Province.




World Barbarians Rugby



Sir Michael Somare has accepted the invitation to become the patron of the Air Niugini World Barbarians Rugby Sevens (WBS) Tournament. The tournament is set to kick off between the second and third of November this year. The venue has been double booked and it is unsure where the event will be held. The WBS and the Wanderers' Sevens have booked the PRL ground with the Wanderers' appearing to have made the earlier booking. The Puk Puk's although advertised as playing in the Barbarians matches will not play due to the fact that the WBS has not been sanctioned as an official match.




2003 Yearbook



The National Newspaper (http://www.thenational.com.pg) is offering a 50 percent discount on the purchase of the 2003 PNG Yearbook, which will be available in January 2003. The Yearbook contains information and articles on the 2002 Elections, developments in PNG, the Bougainville Peace Process, Environment, Health, Wealth and Education etc. The Yearbook is on sale for K60 per copy (K30 if you get in early) from PNG yearbook 2003, PO Box 6817, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea. (Phone +675 324 6851 and Facsimile +675 325 2764) or send email requesting further information to advertising@thenational.com.pg.




O bin Laden T-Shirts



The general public has complained about t-shirts on sale bearing an image of Osama bin Laden and the destroyed World Trade Centre. Outraged citizens have called for the t-shirts to be banned completely.




Plastic Bags



The Post Courier (http://www.postcourier.com.pg) is offering K50 weekly over the next three weeks to the person who comes up with the best idea for helping the National Capital eliminate the unsightly plastic bags, which, as some people say, has become the official flower of the National Capital.




Highlands Highway



It has been suggested that once the Highlands Highway has been fixed a toll should be imposed on all users. The highway, 600 kilometres in length, goes from Lae in Morobe Province to Wabag in Enga Province and Mendi in the Southern Highlands. It is estimated that the Government will need to find K500 million to fix the highway.




PNGBC Sale



A three-man commission will probe the sale of the PNG Banking Corportaion to the Bank South Pacific. Many people have been concerned over the sale at what some say was sold at only 25 percent of its actual value. The terms of reference for the probe have been announced earlier this week.




Alotau Hospital



The Alotau hospital, in Milne Bay, sees between 30,000 to 40,000 patients every year and admits around 4,500 of these. Like every other hospital in PNG it is facing a shortage of funds. This leads to problems when drugs arrive at the wharf they cannot be cleared because the accounts are closed or there is no money to pay the fees owing on the shipment. At other times there is no money to buy food for the patients staying at the hospital.




Miss Air Niugini



Many rumours are going around about Miss Air Niugini. The only fact that can be reported is that at a special Miss Air Niugini Ball a major fund raising raffle was drawn and 33 lucky people won a host of prizes.




VAT Changes



The provinces have won a change in Value Added Tax (VAT). As from Jan 2004 the collection will become a Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the provinces will receive 80 percent of the amount collected. Presently the National Government retains 70 percent of the VAT that is collected and distributes 30 percent amongst the provinces. GST will be taxed at 10 percent. The Government will retain the import duty on goods coming into the country. The provinces will not get a bite of this.




School Subsidies



Schools in the National Capital have received subsidies for the fourth quarter totalling over K500,000, which is less than what was expected by the various schools. Many of the schools consider the money allocated is nowhere near what is required to run the schools for the final quarter of the school year. Some reports have said that the amount of money provide is short by almost K2 million.




School Exams



Students around the country are sitting for their exams. Students in some of the provinces where the results of the elections are still in dispute may have to stay down and repeat the class again next year.




AIDS Advertising



The AIDS advertisements have been stirring up much comment in the local press and around offices in PNG. Many people fail to see the main point of the advertisement, which is to raise the awareness of the general public about AIDS. If the amount of adverse comment about the advertising could be channelled into raising further awareness then the AIDS awareness people would have nothing to worry about.




Popondetta War Memorial



The Popondetta War Memorial in Oro Province has a new World War Two monument and plaque that will be commissioned on the 2nd of November. War veterans from the province have been invited to attend.




Government Payroll



Due to the court decision on Value Added Tax and the fact that money is now tied up in court cases the government may not have enough money to pay government workers soon. One of the hardest hit will be the Governor of Morobe Province who will possibly not receive the money from the National Government to pass onto the various Provincial Governments.




Bougainville Power



The power situation in Bougainville is causing a headache for everyone. Everyday the population suffers from lack of electricity, telephones and other services. Along with all businesses the banks are not able to work effectively without power so people do not have ready access to banking services.




Moresby Power



Landowners at Sogeri just outside Port Moresby and the location where Port Moresby draws its water from for human consumption and hydro-electricity generation are upset because there has been no follow up over their demands for compensation set down over a year ago. It has been claimed that the landowners of the Sirinumu dam at Sogeri have not received royalties for the use of their land since the dam was built over 40 years ago.




Ombudsman Commission



The Commission has moved from Boroko to the Deloitte Tower in downtown Port Moresby. They are occupying parts of the ground floor, the fifth floor and the sixth floor. All visitors are requested to contact the office located on the ground floor. The new contact numbers for the Commission are +675 308 2600 (voice) and facsimile numbers 320 3260, 320 3266 and 320 3267.




Madang School



The Japanese Government has given a grant of K145,00 to the Holy Cross Meiro Primary School in Madang. The school will use the grant to help build three double classrooms. The school has 13 teaching staff looking after 600 students.




Rabaul Airport (Tokua)



Due to volcanic ash on and around the Tokua (Rabaul) airport Air Niugini has had to cancel all flights to Tokua (Rabaul) recently.

Air Niugini is hoping to have been able to fly to Talasea, the temporary airport set up after the closure of Hoskins due to the eruption of Mount Pago volcano on the 24th of October. The airport has now been certified for Dash 8 aircraft.




Joe Tauvasa



Reports in the newspapers, on TV and over the radio have confirmed that Joe Tauvasa is back as the chairman of Air Niugini. It was welcome news by the staff that have taken to reading the newspapers to see what is going on within the airline. The acting Chief Executive, Captain Dave Wiltshire, has departed and the Chief Financial Officer is acting in the acting position until a new CEO is appointed.




Industrial Relations Office



The Industrial Relations Office has been closed until the end of the year. The Office is supposed to resolve disputes between workers and employers. The PNG Maritime Industrial Workers Union is currently in a dispute with its stevedoring employers and is concerned that the closure will add unnecessary delays in resolving the dispute that has been going on since May this year.




OCA Security Fee



The Office of Civil Aviation already slugs international passengers leaving PNG from the Jackson's Airport (Port Moresby) a K30 "Airport Facilities Fee" but now they want to slug passengers a further K30 as a security fee on international travellers! It has been suggested by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce that all businesses should voice their objections to the introduction of the proposed fee. -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg.




Bulolo



Ten residents of the National Housing Corporation in Bulolo have been given secure titles to the land and houses they occupy. One of the tenants is former Bulolo MP Mathew Bendumb. More titles to houses and land are expected to be given away around the country.




Rice Farming



The Pacific Adventist University, rice demonstration farm, is offering any rice farmers in the areas around Port Moresby to come and avail themselves of rice seedlings. The seedlings will be given out free of charge from the University at 14-mile on the Sogeri road. The offer is open from now to the 5th of December from Monday to Thursday (8:30am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 3:00pm) and on Friday from 8:00am to 11:00am.




Media Workshop



Alun Beck is conducting media workshops designed as intensive, "hands on" experience suitable for journalists, writers, photographers, video camera persons, and production staff or simply for people serious about learning new media skills.

The various courses cover knowing about your digital still camera, video camera pro techniques, video scripting and production as well as computer video editing. The courses are being held at the Tree House resort. For further information about dates and times etc please contact Alun direct on albeck@global.net.pg or +675 984 2666 (voice) +675 984 2693 (facsimile).




Approx Exchange Rates






Bank of PNG



The central bank, the Bank of PNG, has paid a dividend of K35.6 million to the government for the year 2001. This compares with K44.5 million for the year 2000. I hope that this is not like other organisations owned by the government that pay dividends and then have nothing left to make the business grow bigger and stronger.

 





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-- THE END --

Some of the above are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg

If you can add to this list then please use the contact form.





Created 24 Oct 2002
Updated 3 Nov 2002

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