Links
Rotary PNG Web Site
ROTARY CLUBS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA - District 9600 -- http://www.rotary.org.pg
Rotary has branches in Boroko, Bulolo-Wau, Mount Hagen, Goroka, Huon Gulf,
Madang, Kavieng, Kokopo, Kimbe, Lae, Port Moresby, Rabaul, Wewak and the Interact
Club of Port Moresby International School
Trepanation
If you are interested in trepanation across cultures and civilizations then
I suggest a visit to http://www.trepanationguide.com/trepanation_across_cultures.htm
-- Trephining is the making of a depression or hole in the intact skull. The
link above mentions New Ireland (Neu Mecklenberg) and the Duke of York Islands
(Neu Lauenburg) between New Britain and New Ireland.
Ambunti Lodge
Ambunti Lodge and Sepik Tours - Mystical Sepik web site -- http://www.ambuntilodge-sepiktour.com.pg/index.html
-- for Sepik Adventures, tours and accommodation please visit this web site.
HIV / AIDS Stigma
For an article written by Lawrence Hammar, who works for the PNG Institute
of Medical Research in Goroka, please visit this link -- http://pnggossip.com/news/stigma.html
Land Management
The website for the Land Management Group at the Australian National University
contains material based on their research into land use and agriculture in
PNG. The URL is:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/lmp/
Through this site, one can access a report on Sustainability of Agriculture
in Bougainville Province; an agricultural literature database for PNG that
can be searched by keyword, authors, titles, etc; the Papua New Guinea Rural
Development Handbook; and some of the output from the project "Mapping
Agricultural Systems of Papua New Guinea".
The last named was a major project which required six years of fieldwork
to describe village agriculture for every location in PNG. The PNG Rural Development
Handbook is a tool to help planners, development experts and researchers to
plan rural development in PNG. It draws on the mapping project named above,
as well as other spatial databases on PNG, including the National Nutrition
Survey and the PNG Resource Information System.
Other items to be placed on the website in 2004 include new estimates of
production of staple food crops in PNG, as well as an updated version of the
agricultural literature database.
Rimbunan Hijau
Rimbunan Hijau with core business interests including Timber Processing,
Media and Information Technology has established a web presence at -- http://www.rhpng.com.pg.
The company is often criticised for its logging operations in PNG.
News Items
Hansard
Since 1997 PNG has not had an official record of the goings on in parliament.
PNG is the only Commonwealth country that does not have a Hansard (official
report of proceedings in parliament). The matter has been brought before parliament
but no action has been taken so far.
Diesel Price
The price of Diesel has risen to K1.98 per litre. This is an increase of
6.5 toea over the previous price. The increase will take effect in Port Moresby,
Lae, Madang and Rabaul. Many organisations rely on diesel not only to run
their trucks and buses but also to run their generators because the power
company can not provide reliable electricity on a 24 hour basis. The power
company also is a large user of diesel.
Alotau
A rising crime rate in Alotau, Milne Bay Province has left the local police
with little or no resources to curb the problem. The police in Alotau are
suffering from a lack of manpower, ammunition and accommodation and this is
causing moral to drop. It has also been reported that members of the general
public are also not cooperating with the police making their job even harder
to do.
New Judge
New Judge, Gregory Lay, has been sworn in by Sir Paulias Matane. This brings
the number of judges to 21 with another four to be sworn in soon. Mr Lay came
to PNG when he was 19 and is now a citizen of PNG.
Medical Symposium
The Medical Society of PNG has received some more money to help with the
hosting of the 2004 Medical Symposium. This time K10,000 has been donated
by the Mineral Resources Development Corporation. The cost of holding the
Symposium has been estimated to be K200,000 and the fund raising committee
has already been able to collect K100,000 towards the event. This year the
symposium will be held by the Medical Faculty of the University of PNG.
Governor General Delay
The investiture of Sir Paulias Matane as the Governor General of PNG will
have to be delayed because the Queen is on holidays and will no be back until
October. The selection process was delayed for many months as various candidates
battled the selection out in court.
Fast Money Schemes
The Bank of PNG has yet again warned investors to steer clear of investing
their hard earned savings in quick money schemes. The operators of the various
schemes prey on the vulnerability and gullibility of people wanting to get
rich quick. The only people to get rich out of these schemes are the people
who invent the scheme and possibly a few of their friends who have been the
first to invest.
Aitape Tsunami
It has been six years since the tsunami devastated the coast at Warapu near
Aitape. The tsunami has been described as the country's worst natural disaster
killing more than 1000 people from the Warupu, Arop, Malol and Sissano areas.
A solemn occasion, expected to be attended by over 5,000 people, will commemorate
the event on the 17th of July.
Milne Bay
The people of Upalao village in Milne Bay have received assistance from the
PNG Red Cross Society. Some of the houses in the village were washed away
in recent floods and many food gardens were destroyed as a result of the heavy
downpour. Eight homes housing 14 families were swept away into the sea or
buried under debris from the flood.
Defence Force
The PNG Defence Force has declared war on HIV/AIDS before it decimates the
force. The Defence Minister, Mathew Gubag, has said that the military were
already at risk from the virus with a large number of the men already exposed.
He said that the force must do something now before it is too late and several
soldiers have already died from the virus.
National Research Institute
The National Research Institute has a new director. Dr. Thomas Webster will
take up the position in August after the previous incumbent was sacked.
Coming Events
Markham Banana Festival. The festival is set to be held between the 26th
and 28th of November, 2004. This year's festival will be held at the Mutzing
government station. Last year it was held at the Wampua village and it was
attended by 11 groups.
Gun Cartridges
Overseas countries that see PNG as a threat, because of the law and order
problem, have banned gun cartridges from being sent to PNG. PNG is also looking
at ways of banning or controlling the sale of guns within the country.
AIDS Help
The Post Courier -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg
-- has reported that PNG will receive $US10 million (K35 million) to help
fight AIDS and The National -- http://www.thenational.com.pg
-- has indicated that K10 million will be made available from the Geneva Global
Fund. . Does anyone know what the figure is?
Aussie Rules
A Northern Zone Junior Aussie Rules Football Regional Championship is being
planned for the 22nd to the 25th of July. Children between the ages of 12
and 18 will be participating in the first championship of its type to be held
in Goroka. Aussie Rules is making a comeback in the highlands area. The sport
was popular in the 70's and the 80's.
Pesticides
The National Agricultural and Research Institute in partnership with the
German Development Service have developed and released technology that allows
farmers to make their own pesticides at home from local plants to control
insect pests. The organic pesticides known as plant derived pesticide (PDP)
are made from extracts of plants that have natural protection from insect
pests. The process is a low cost, natural and effective way of controlling
pests.
PNG Prostitution
Dues to the continued economic woes faced by everyone in PNG more and more
people are turning to prostitution to survive. There has been a rise in the
number of sex workers in major towns. This situation will only make the HIV/AIDS
situation worse.
Agricultural Exports
A record level of K1.3 billion was achieved for agricultural exports last
year (2003). This compares favourably against a record low in 2001 of only
K800 million. The increase has been attributed to higher production in some
areas such as copra. Tea has seen an increase of 21 percent. Some commodities
have fallen in price due to the slight appreciation of the Kina against the
US Dollar and an oversupply due to increased production by other countries.
Courts Exhibition
A weeklong exhibition entitled "Bringing the Courts to the People"
will end this weekend. The exhibition is an initiative of the judiciary to
open its doors to the public and provide them with an opportunity to have
a say in the running of the courts. It is hoped that the exhibition can educate
the people about the different types of courts, the processes and procedures
involved.
Oceania Snooker Titles
PNG has won the right to host the 2007 Oceania Snooker Titles. The PNG Snooker
and Billiards Association will now have to raise a substantial sum of money
to ensure that the is run successfully. Australia will host the titles in
2005 and New Zealand in 2006.
Miss Pacific Quest
The Little Miss Pacific Quest has recently been launched at the Lamana hotel
in Port Moresby. Ten contestants aged between 8 and 12 are vying for the crown.
Last year six contestants raised K47,000 for Bougainville children and other
less privileged children in the country.
Lost Firearms
Six soldiers and a member of the Police force have appeared in court over
charges of conspiracy, misappropriation and stealing firearms and ammunition
belonging to the Defence Force. The suspects were arrested for stealing two
boxes containing six self-loading rifles, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition that
were in transit at Jackson's Airport.
Shipping
PNG has managed to meet all requirements associated with new security measures
set by the International Maritime Organisation. The new requirements have
been introduced after the September 11th tragedy in 2001. The public ports
that have qualified are --
Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Alotau, Wewak, Kimbe, Kavieng, Vanimo,
Buka and Oro bay.
Several private ports have also met the increased security requirements.
The requirements not only cover ports but also the ships that sail to those
ports must also meet the international requirements. Many PNG ships have met
the requirements and they are --
Goada Chief, Lahara Chief, Kiunga Chief, Boset Chief, Obo Chief, Western
Zenith, Western Taumph, Western Star, Western Flier, Western Endeavour, Wewak,
Kuder, Bosavi, Morobe Coast, Gazzel Coast, Newgini Coast, Madang Coast, Petro
Discover and the Petro Navigation.
Murray Barracks Mess
Thanks to the Chinese government soldiers at Murray Barracks now have a new
mess and a renovate gymnasium. Five soldiers from the PNG Defence Force have
been selected to pursue further studies in three locations in China. They
will study during the 2004 and 2005 academic years in Beijing at the National
Defence University, the Army Command College in Najing and the Infantry College
in Shijiazhuang.
Baisu Jail
Five prisoners from the remandee's section at Baisu Jail in the Western Highlands
have been hospitalised with suspected typhoid. It is suspected that they may
have eaten contaminated food brought to the prison by relatives of the prisoners.
Air Niugini
Air Niugini has announced an after tax 2003 net operating profit of over
K50 million. They suffered a loss of almost K39 million in 2002. Operating
revenue rose by 18.7 percent to K421.7 million (K355.2 million in 2002) during
2003 operational costs increased by 10 percent to K365 million. (K331.9 million
in 2002). The board of Air Niugini believe the airline is firmly on course
to maintain safe, reliable and profitable services in spite of external factors
such as fuel prices fluctuations.
Witchcraft Case
The four charged with the murder of a woman through witchcraft have been
found guilty of wilful murder by the District Court in Tabubil. The presiding
magistrate found, after a two-day hearing, the three women and one man guilty
of the offence and adjourned the case for a sentence hearing.
Academic Report
A report by Australian academic, Professor Helen Hughes, has said that PNG
would be better served if the minerals in the ground were left in the ground
until the government demonstrated that it had a capacity to offset the economic
rent effect that deter agricultural production and job creation. She also
picked out that the job of a politician and a public servant as being the
lead jobs in personal wealth creation in the country.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, has lashed out at the report
saying that it was outdated.
Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church in PNG has recently celebrated its 118th birthday of
being in PNG. The first German Missionary arrived on the shores of Simbang
in Finschaffen, Morobe Province, on the 12th of July 1886. Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.lutheranworld.org/Directory/ASI/EvangelicalLutheranChurchofPapuaNewGuinea.EN.html
Dirt Meal
A village court magistrate in Sialum, Morobe Province has ordered two men
to swallow one kilogram of dirt while watched by fellow villagers. The incident
has now gone before the Lae District Court after the two men filed a suit
claiming redress. The men were ordered to eat the dirt as part of a land dispute.
Angau Hospital
The Women and Child Support Centre at Angau Hospital has received K10,00
from the Finance and Treasury Minister, Bart Philemon, to assist with the
operation of the centre.
No Confidence Vote
The Prime Minister is claiming that he has the support of 64 members of parliament.
The government would require an absolute majority of 55 MP's to survive a
vote of no-confidence. Knowing PNG politics the true answer will not be known
unless an actual vote is taken.
Civil Aviation
A nationwide strike by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) employees has been
averted by the promise of a K1.9 million guarantee by the Civil Aviation Minister.
The unions had planned to hold a four-day strike in protest against management's
failure to pay outstanding airfares for retrenched and non retrenched officers
as well as back payments. 200 CAA workers had agreed to go on strike.
PNG Media
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