P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 16 Jun 2003

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.oOo.
PNG Gossip Newsletter Meri Milne Bay

Welcome to the

Papua New Guinea Gossip Newsletter


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

Tok Pisin New Media Site
Port Moresby Rotary PNG Business and Directory
Disabled Association (F.O.D.A.) Metals Refining Operations
Misc Web Sites Walindi
Fuel Prices Mount Hagen Hospital
Mount Hagen Show Steamships Reunion
Juvenile Court Ghost Hospital
Enga PNG Gas
World War II Bombs West New Britain
Agricultural Show Agriculture
Pacific Gold Studios Ozone Project
Dengue Fever Chimbu Power
Port Moresby Power Kairuku Bridges
Polling Protest Corruption
Bumayong Cashew Nuts
Mendi MP Cocoa
Angau Hospital Crocodile Skins
St John Ambulance Carteret Islands
PNG Cricket Buimo Jail
PNG Prisons Copyright Laws
Multimedia UPNG Highlands School
Unemployment Languages of PNG
PNG Media Sites That's All

 

Articles for this newsletter

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

 

 

 

Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"
Tok Pisin
English
long
along
long at
long because of
long tall
long than
long to
long bek backwards
long halivim instead of
long hap? there
long namel long? through
long olgeta ples everywhere
long sampela hap somewhere
long / longpela long
long? for
longlong / het i pas stupid
longlong / waia i lus crazy

 

 

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 26 - 27 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

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 and Tourism Directory located 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.expedia.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



New Media Site



TreeHouse Productions -- http://www.treehouse.com.pg/treehouse__productions.htm



Port Moresby Rotary



Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs. The Port Moresby Rotary Club has a website located at -- http://www.pomrotary.org.pg



PNG Business and Directory



PNG Business Directory -- http://www.pngbd.com -- This web site is probably the most useful stopping point for anyone interested in finding out more about PNG. Many businesses use the website on a daily basis to find out the exchange rate as the rates on the website are updated by the banks on a regular basis throughout the working day but the website offers more than that. The best way to find out what it has is to visit the site.



Disabled Association (F.O.D.A.)



The Friends of the Disabled Association (F.O.D.A.) is an organization that has been specifically developed to assist the disabled people of Papua New Guinea. In particular this organization aims at providing a link between the business community and the many Non-Government Organisations already working in the field with the aim of providing resources and expertise. The website for FODA is located at -- http://www.foda.org.pg



Metals Refining Operations



PNG only precious metal processor and refiner has a website located at -- http://www.metalsrefining.com.pg



Misc Web Sites



Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
Remington PNG -- http://www.remington.com.pg
Investment Promotion Authority -- http://www.ipa.gov.pg
Airlines of PNG -- http://www.apng.com



Walindi



If anyone is looking for accommodation in West New Britain not far from Kimbe, the provincial capital, then try Walindi Plantation Dive Resort. Walindi is situated just ten kilometres from Kimbe on the road to Talasea. Close to the Resort is the Walindi Nature Centre sponsored by the owner of the resort. -- http://www.walindi.com

 


 

News Items




Fuel Prices



The price of fuel in PNG has fallen. The Port Moresby prices excluding 10 percent VAT are now



Mount Hagen Hospital



The chief executive of the Mount Hagen General Hospital has called on Australian Aid to be given to projects that are outcome driven rather than output driven.



Mount Hagen Show



The Mount Hagen Show will be held from the 15th to the 17th of August 2003. Air Niugini has scheduled more flights for people travelling to Hagen for the show.

http://www.geocities.com/tourpng/hagenshow.html -- Mount Hagen Cultural Show -- This web page provides specific information about one of Papua New Guinea's greatest source of international and domestic tourist attraction, the world-famous Mt. Hagen Cultural Show. Held annually at Kagamuga Showgrounds, opposite the Kagamuga Airport (Mt. Hagen Airport), and a few minutes drive east of Mt. Hagen City (capital of Western Highlands Province). Should you require further information, send email to -- skyuimb@hotmail.com or skyfdn@hotmail.com.



Steamships Reunion



Anyone interested in attending a Steamships Reunion on the 11th,12th & 13th of June 2005, probably on the Gold Coast or Brisbane in Australia, please contact Maggie Charlton at -- mdcharlton@yahoo.com.au



Juvenile Court



Children in PNG now have their own Juvenile Court. Along with the new court a Juvenile Mediation program was also launched on the 11th of June 2003. The mediation program hopes to divert 70 percent of juvenile cases back to the community for Melanesian based resolutions rather than through the previous system.



Ghost Hospital



The hospital built by the third party insurance company - Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) - still sits vacant on a hill close to the Port Moresby Hospital. The building of this hospital was completed years ago and the building is gradually rotting away in the tropical climate. Will it ever get used? Will we ever see patients using it?



Enga



Twenty mobile police squads have been moved into Enga province to help subdue the tribal fights in Paiam and Porgera. Two people have lost their lives already in the fights between two tribes.



PNG Gas



PNG Gas has had another knock back. This time it has lost a contract to supply Canadian aluminium giant Alcan in the Northern Territory of Australia. Industry analysts now say that there is a possibility of the gas project never getting off the ground and supplying gas.



World War II Bombs



Police in Madang have become concerned about live bombs left over from the Second World War. A site that was possibly used as a major ammunition dump during the war has recently been raided for bombs. It looks as if at least two bombs have been removed.



West New Britain



The man, who purchased a very expensive VX Land Cruiser vehicle in the middle of the Mt Pago volcano disaster in West New Britain, has been suspended. William Padio welcomed the suspension so that he could have his name cleared.



Agricultural Show



The Central Province Agricultural show held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby has been declared a success. The theme of this year's show was "food diversity is food security".



Agriculture



The government hopes to be able to pass several proposals aimed at kick starting the agricultural sector. Some of the proposals are



Pacific Gold Studios



Chin H Meen are now the owners of Pacific Gold Studios and their catalogue of albums recorded since 1983. The owner of Pacific Gold Studios, Greg Seeto, is leaving the country and settling in Australia. Chin H Meen will also take over the calculation and payment of royalties for any albums sold.



Ozone Project



PNG has secured more than K2 million to help phase out ozone depleting substances in the country. The money will be used to help PNG comply with the Montreal Protocol for phasing out the various substances, mainly used in air conditioning and refrigeration.



Dengue Fever



There have been cases of Dengue Fever treated in Port Moresby but these have gone unreported to any Department of Health or the World Health Organisation. There are no facilities in PNG to test for Dengue Fever and blood samples have to be flown to Australia for testing.



Chimbu Power



The French Government is funding the supply of electricity into Gumine and Gembogl electorates of the Chimbu Province. The project should be able to start immediately due to the funding.



Port Moresby Power



The local Television Station, EMTV, recently suffered a major failure of equipment due to the inadequate electricity supply. The TV Station went off the air during the six-o'clock news but managed to get the station running again in time for the next show.



Kairuku Bridges



The people of the Kairuku / Hiri electorate in Central Province have recently been able to open two bridges in the electorate. The bridges at Ikeikana 1 and Ikeikana 2 were constructed under the Yumi Yet bridge program. The bridges, by UK firm Mabey and Johnson, took 25 men less than 20 days to build. Each bridge has a span of just over 21 metres.



Polling Protest



Villagers from Kakedemayu village in the Mount Bosavi area refused to vote recently when a polling team showed up to record votes. Only two of the villagers voted the rest said that they have voted every other time but no development has been seen in the village from their elected representatives. Mount Bosavi is in the Nipa / Kutubu electorate. The area once had six primary schools but now there are only three of these schools operating due to financial problems.



Corruption



The media has declared an ongoing war on corruption in PNG. Several organisations have advertised contact information so that if you see or hear of corrupt people or activities you can have a place to report them.

Transparency International (PNG)
PO Box 591, Port Moresby
Phone +675 320 2182 --- Fax +675 320 2189
email -- tipng@daltron.com.pg
web -- http://www.transparencypng.org.pg


Ombudsman Commission of PNG
PO Box 852 Boroko
Ph +675 325 9955 --- Fax +675 320 9220
email -- ombudspng@datec.com.pg


Media Council of PNG
PO Box 344 Boroko
Phone +675 320 1994 --- +675 Fax 320 1956
email -- pngcorruption@hotmail.com



Bumayong



Students were sent home and classes at the Bumayong Secondary School in Lae suspended after the PNG Waterboard cut the water supply to the school for non-payment of the water account. The school owes the Waterboard more than K30,000.



Cashew Nuts



The Rigo area of Central Province is successfully growing cashew plants. The main product gained from cashew trees is the cashew nut but the cashew apple is also used and favoured in other countries such as Brazil. In Goa, India the cashew apple is used to distil a liquor called "feni". Unlike other tree fruits the cashew nut is external to the fruit.



Mendi MP



The Member of Parliament for Mendi, Michael Nali, has been found guilty of misconduct in office. He was found guilty of inciting a riot in 1999.



Cocoa



In 2002 East New Britain produced about 80 percent of PNG's cocoa exports valued at over K200 million.



Angau Hospital



The Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae has received K17,500 worth of medical supplies from Papindo Trading. The company donated essential items needed by the hospital such as equipment, funding of a specialist medical care and gifts to patients.



Crocodile Skins



The trade in crocodile skins within PNG is threatened by breaches of CITES (Convention on the International Trade In Endangered Species). PNG is the only country in the world that has a special dispensation to trade in crocodile skins from the wild. PNG also farms crocodiles for skins. Crocodile skin exports earn an average of K3-5 million every year for the rural area.



St John Ambulance



The Secretary General of the St John Ambulance in PNG has died. Well known identity, Graham Keake, who always had to struggle with the government to raise funds for the only public ambulance service in Port Moresby, died shortly after being admitted to the Port Moresby Hospital on Friday the sixth of June.



Carteret Islands



It has been reported that an elderly lady has passed away on the Carteret Islands due to starvation experienced by the loss of food gardens due to rising seas.



PNG Cricket



PNG Cricket has been offered four places at the Queensland Sports Academy in Brisbane, Australia. Three places will be for junior players and the fourth for a coach.



Buimo Jail



The prisoners at the Buimo Jail in Lae now have new towels thanks to a gift of 849 towels by the various Seven-day Adventists Churches in and around Lae. The donation was organised by the community services department of the church and involved a total of 18 churches and about 1000 church members. The prisoners also were provided with a meal by the church.



PNG Prisons



Here is a list of prisons known to be operating in PNG. The list has been supplied by Uve.

Uve recommends contacting the Correctional Services of PNG to verify if there are any more or whether some of the above have been shut down or reopened due to health risks etc.



Copyright Laws




The "new" laws on copyright in PNG don't seem to have achieved much. Businesses are struggling to make the software on their Personal Computers legal while it would appear that some suppliers are still pirating jingles for commercials.



Multimedia UPNG



The University of PNG is now able to deliver lectures using state of the art multi-media equipment. Three lecture theatres, the Main, Arts and Science theatres, all have digital multimedia equipment to help with the presentation of lectures to students.



Highlands School



Normally you hear of students being suspended from classes but recently seven secondary school principals in the Western Highlands were suspended and charged for not submitting their reviewed budget for this financial year.



Unemployment



It has been reported that there are over 3 million people eligible for work within PNG and only 270,000 of these have work in the formal sector. The unemployed rely on subsistence farming and their relatives and "wantoks" or the "wantok system" which has many good and many bad points. A wantok is literally a person who speaks the same language as you and with over 800 languages and no unemployment benefits in PNG some people might only have a handful of wantok's clambering after their hard earned Kina each fortnight while others have many more than this.

The positive side of the wantok system provides hardship alleviation whilst the negative side sees it undermine the economic advancement of entire kinship groups and retards progress towards escaping temporary poverty because it adversely impacts on a household's income.



Languages of PNG



The National or official languages of PNG are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin and English.

The number of languages listed for Papua New Guinea is 832. Of those, 823 are living languages and nine are considered to be extinct.

For information on the languages a visit to http://www.sultry.arts.usyd.edu.au/ling/research/papuan2.html will start you off in the right direction. Another interesting article is located at http://www.krysstal.com/langfams.html. It deals with language families and mentions the Rotokas language - Rotokas is spoken in Papua New Guinea on the Island of Bougainville by approximately 4,300 people and it has the fewest sounds of any language, 11 (compared to the 44 or so of standard English). These 11 are made up of five vowels and six consonants: A, E, I, O, U, B, G, K, P, R, T. - can you imagine that - a language with only 11 sounds. Six of those are used in the name of the language.

It has been reported that PNG has one language for every 900 square kilometres of the country or roughly one language for every 350 square miles for those readers who don't use the metric system.

 





PNG Media


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-- THE END --

Some of the ways of saying "that's all" are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg

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Created 16 Jun 2003
Updated 26 Jun 2003

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