Liverpool Wantok

NAMORONG REPORT: Mutiny changing PNG’s political dynamics

2012-02-02T01:45:00.000-08:00

NAMORONG REPORT: Mutiny changing PNG’s political dynamics: Col Yara Sasa doesn’t have the political baggage that the Somare’s have. He has now entered a debate that was pretty much confined to the p...

Papua New Guinea Blogs: PNG's woes matter to us: Downer

2012-01-29T17:29:00.000-08:00

Papua New Guinea Blogs: PNG's woes matter to us: Downer: OUR neighbour's political crisis should serve as a wake-up call for Canberra, writes Alexander Downer I was in New Yor...

NRI warns against prolonged dual legitimacy claims to Govt :: Papua New Guinea Issues in Perspective

2012-01-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

NRI warns against prolonged dual legitimacy claims to Govt :: Papua New Guinea Issues in Perspective

Papua New Guinea Blogs: BREAKING.. NAMAH CALLS ON O'NEILL TO RESIGN

2012-01-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

Papua New Guinea Blogs: BREAKING.. NAMAH CALLS ON O'NEILL TO RESIGN: MARRIAGE BREAKING UP? Belden Namah is calling "Prime Minister" Peter O'Neil to resign over the Indonesian 'falcon mishap' due to apparen...

NAMORONG REPORT: Political Crisis is beyond PNG’s hands

2011-12-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

NAMORONG REPORT: Political Crisis is beyond PNG’s hands: What we now have on our plate is a classic resource curse where foreigners are supporting either or both sides of politics. When I wrote m...

NAMORONG REPORT: The political economy of the Somare-O’Neil standof...

2011-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

NAMORONG REPORT: The political economy of the Somare-O’Neil standof...: Above: Protestors call on Sir Michael to step down “L’etat c’est et moi!” exclaimed Louis XIV, the Sun King of France. The dude was sayi...

Political stalemate has PNG seeing double

2011-12-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

By ABC PNG correspondent Liam Fox

The situation in Papua New Guinea is becoming increasingly confusing and there is no end to the political stalemate in sight.

In the latest development, Peter O'Neill has been sworn in as prime minister by the man he has designated as the interim governor-general.

Mr O'Neill earlier announced he was suspending governor-general Sir Michael Ogio because he had failed to live up to his responsibilities.

Follow PNG correspondent Liam Fox on Twitter.

Speaker Geoffrey Nape then said he was the acting governor-general and swore in Mr O'Neill as the country's prime minister and several MPs as ministers.

It is unclear what if any effect this will have on his rival Sir Michael Somare.

This morning Sir Michael Ogio, who has been the governor-general since the start of the year, swore in 19 members of Sir Michael Somare's cabinet.

The country now has two prime ministers, two cabinets, two governors-general and two police commissioners.

The prime minister's seat was declared vacant in August while Sir Michael was out of the country receiving medical treatment.

Earlier this week the Supreme Court ruled that his removal from office in August was unlawful and ordered he be reinstated.

But Mr O'Neill maintains he is the country's legitimate leader.

On Tuesday afternoon he and 60 other MPs broke through a police barricade at government house and demanded to see Sir Michael Ogio, shouting "we're unarmed and we're the legitimate government".

Through his secretary, the governor-general urged the parties to sort out the issue among themselves.

Sir Michael, 75, has been in politics for almost 50 years and became his country's first prime minister when it became independent in 1975.

He was sidelined by illness earlier this year, travelling to Singapore for heart surgery.

His family announced his resignation in June without consulting Sir Michael, who they said was in intensive care and too ill to discuss his future.

But Sir Michael maintained he was still the country's leader and there had "never been any vacancy in the position of prime minister".

Video Source: ABC News Australia

Papua New Guinea at the verge of Constitutional Crises

2011-12-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

According to ABC Australia Liam Fox's report from Papua New Guinea, as of last night, Papua New Guinea has two legitimate Prime Ministers. Yesterday (12 December, 2011) the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea ruled that there has never been a vacancy of the Prime Minister's position while Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was in Singapore receiving medical treating for his heart condition, and the election of Mr Peter O'Niell as PNG's Prime Minister by the PNG Parliament on August 2, 2011 was unconsitutional. The country is waiting for the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio to swear in either Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare or Mr Peter O'Neill as PNG's legitimate Prime Minister to break the deadlock as the power struggle continues.

Video Source: ABC News Australia

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is back as Papua New Guinea Prime Minister

2011-12-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

Somare is Back!

Source:

The National, Tuesday 13th December 2011

CONFUSION reigned last night when it appeared the country had two prime ministers – Sir Michael Somare and Peter O’Neill.
Sir Michael was reinstated as prime minister by a 3-2 Supreme Court decision yesterday which declared the election of Peter O’Neill on Aug 2 as null and void.
The court also voided his Sir Michael’s ouster as member for East Sepik.
A few minutes after the court decision, parliament voted 79-0 to retain O’Neill as prime minister. But he was denied access to Government House to be officially sworn in by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.
Speaker Jeffery Nape said O’Neill’s election stemmed from two recent parliament decisions. The first decision last Friday rescinded the leave of absence granted to Sir Michael in May. This had the effect that he had now missed three consecutive sittings of parliament and would, therefore, stand dismissed as the member for East Sepik.
The second referred to yesterday’s amendment to the Prime Minister & NEC Act which, among others, contended that should a prime minister absent himself from the country for three months, which Sir Michael did while on medical leave, a vacancy would arise in the
office of the prime minister.
Declaring that these actions created a new vacancy regardless of the court decision, parliament on a nomination from Anglimp-South Waghi MP Jamie Maxtone-Graham elected O’Neill unopposed by 69 votes to nil.
While the court decision stated that all subsequent decisions by the O’Neill government stands voided, it is uncertain whether parliament was included as this would have an important bearing on its actions last Friday and yesterday, which led to the re-election of O’Neill yesterday.
This confusion unfolded later in a tense drama outside Government House last night when a police contingent, headed by senior police officers Fred Yakasa and Joseph Tondop, held off the O’Neill convoy from entering the Government House for the swearing-in ceremony.
Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga was dispatched to the Government House soon after that but, in the end at 8.30pm, the governor-general’s official secretary informed police at the gate that Sir Michael Ogio had retired for the day and will not perform any official duty until today.
A policeman said a court order was delivered earlier in the afternoon to Government House not to entertain any swearing-in ceremony which led to the police move to prevent any ceremony taking place last night.
Police manning the blockade said there was confusion as there were no proper instructions from government lawyers as to what the real situation was last night or who really was in charge.
The stand-off was still maintained at 9.30 last night.
The remnants of the Somare regime last night met and announced a caretaker cabinet.

The new cabinet is:
Sam Abal: Deputy Prime Minister and Immigration;
Patrick Pruaitch: Treasury and Finance, and State-Owned Enterprises;
Sir Arnold Amet: Justice and Attorney General, and Public Service;
Sasa Zibe: Health, and Inter Government Relations;
Timothy Bonga: Forestry, and Internal Security;
James Marape: Education, and National Planning and District Development;
Benjamin Poponowa: Transport and Civil Aviation;
Philip Kikala: Agriculture and Livestock;
Paru Ahi: Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Fidelis Semoso: Bougainville Affairs;
Patrick Tammur: Communication and Information;
Francis Potape: Petroleum and Energy;
Ben Semri: Fisheries, and Commerce and Industry;
Tony Aimo: Correctional Services, and Lands and Physical Planning;
Andrew Kumbakor: Housing and Urban Development;
Philemon Embel: Sports and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister;
Bob Dadae: Defence;
Sani Rambi: Labour and Industrial Relations;
Dame Carol Kidu: Community Development; and
John Pundari: Mining; and
Anderson Agiru: Works, and Conservation and Environment.
Sir Michael said he had appointed the governor of resource-rich Southern Highlands province as a new minister in his cabinet and was pleased to welcome him in his new role.
He said he stood ready to lead his restored government over the next few months until the writs were issued for the 2012 election.
“The judiciary has again upheld our Constitution and maintained the independence between the three arms of government – the legislature, executive and judiciary”.
Sir Michael said the full cabinet would be announced in the next few days.
“The ministers who had defected have been decommissioned,” he added.
He called on the members of the public to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands.
“My government followed processes and waited for the appropriate authority – the judiciary to make its judgment.”

Video Source: ABC News Australia

Peter O'Neill becomes Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister

2011-08-02T20:09:00.001-07:00

Peter O'Neill, the IALIBU-Pangia MP is the new prime minister, winning by an overwhelming 70-24 votes in a surprise election orchestrated by the opposition in parliament yesterday as reported by the media in Papua New Guinea as well as other news agencies around the world.

Although Prime Minister O'Neill was sworn into office by the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio late yesterday afternoon, the ousted Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal claims that the election of the Prime Minister by Parliament was illegal because there was no vacancy in the Prime Minister's post and proper parliamentary procedures were not followed. The political events yesterday in Port Moresby has clearly demonstrated that Papua New Guinea is truely the land of the unexpected!

Source: ABC News Australia

Fukushima: It's much worse than you think

2011-06-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Fukushima: It's much worse than you think - Features - Al Jazeera English

I find this quite interesting and would like to share Dr Helen Caldicott's comments about the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.

Queen Elizabeth II grants the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, Michael Ogio, the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in the White Room at Windsor Castle.

2011-04-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Queen Elizabeth II grants the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, Michael Ogio, the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in the White Room at Windsor Castle.

April 26, 2011

Michael Ogio voted in as Governor General of Papua New Guinea

2011-01-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

The Papua New Guinea government's candidate, Michael Ogio has been voted in as the new Governor General of Papua New Guinea as reported by Radio New Zealand today (Friday 14, January 2011).

Click here for the full story.

(Picture: Mr Michael Ogio)

Personally, one wonders if the politicians in that wonderful country were voted into Parliament to serve the people of Papua New Guinea or to serve themselves and their political cohorts. There are many other Papua New Guinean citizens out there who I believe has the decency, respect and integrity deserving of this most important institution. It now appears that the vice regal office is becoming highly politicised and this trend is dangerous for the country.
I do not have any qualms against Mr Ogio performing the role of the Governor General but the fact remains that his character has been questionable by the media and many other commentators during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister and particularly as Forest Minister. One wonders how Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will feel if a person of questionable character is representing her in Papua New Guinea. It may not go down well with Buckingham Palace although Mr Ogio has been duly elected by the Papua New Guinea Parliament.

Papua New Guinea Land Owners Short Changed from Illegal Logging

2010-12-30T07:28:00.000-08:00

It takes the cutting of a few trees to help save an ancient rainforest. When Sep Galeva succesfully led his community in Lake Murray, Papua New Guinea to stop an illegal logging operation, they wanted to do something with the resources that they have. With the help of NGOs, they set up their own eco-forestry programme where they can do their own logging in a sustainable manner. See how it takes the cutting of a few trees to save an entire ancient rainforest.

Video information
Produced by :chi too
Directed by :chi too
Produced :Nov 07, 2006
Production Company :Kaleidoscope Pictures
[ Source: http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/chitoo/videos/paradise120.avi/view ].

The Late Sir Tei Abal's dream of becoming the Prime Minister of PNG is realised in his son Samuel Tei Abal

2010-12-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

The Late Sir Tei Abal could have been the first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea when Papua New Guinea got its independence in 1975 but lost to Sir Michael Somare. Sir Tei Abal then became Papua New Guinea's first Leader of Opposition at independence. Interestingly, the same Michael Somare was as of last week, the Prime Minister but, has been forced to step aside this week to face a leadership tribunal. Somare needed someone he could trust to stand in his place as Prime Minister. He could have appointed Don Poyle who until early last week was the Deputy Prime Minister. However, Somare knew that Don Poyle could not be trusted so he tactically appointed Samuel Abal as Deputy Prime Minister towards the end of last week knowing that should he step aside, Samuel will take over as Prime Minister.

Samuel Abal is not as outspoken as his father the Late Sir Tei Abal but he has the confidence of Sir Michael Somare. This week Sir Tei Abal's son, Samuel Abal officially has been given the chance to lead the government of Papua New Guinea as the Acting Prime Minister.

Interestingly, it has been over thirty five years since independence for the dream of the father to be realised in the son. Now it is up to Samuel Abal to prove himself..... (John Bailey Nirenga, 15 December, 2010)

[Picture: Samuel Abal. Source: Papua New Guinea The National Newspaper]
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Below is an article written in the Postcourier Newspaper in Papua New Guinea which I think is quite interesting especially for those sons following their fathers' footstep in politics in Papua New Guinea.

(Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080403/focus.htm)

The initial drive and determination to get Papua New Guinea independent has now reached a deadend. Sir Michael Somare is in the twighlight of his career. But a new breed of leaders have emerged. Who is it that will take PNG to the next level?

Sons to fill big shoes

“Like father like son” and in politics, the world is full of them. George W Bush, Ghandi of India, Bhutto in Pakistan, Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier in the Caribbean and Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore who handed the leadership of the island state to his son.
Once over lunch at the Gateway Kim Beazley told me that when his father retired from politics he stood for the same seat and has been there ever since.
Our current Parliament has its share when you consider the four young men who followed their dads into the National Parliament.
Some of us have been privileged to have known over the years, Sir Michael Somare, Sir Tei Abal, Sir Julius Chan and Oscar Tammur.
Sir Michael Somare, the teacher who later joined the Department of Information and Extension Services in East Sepik, has been in politics for the past four decades.
His friend Sir Julius Chan founded the People’s Progress Party and believed that progress and development cannot take place unless there is stability in the administration and for Papua New Guinea to have a strong economy to back it up.
Sir Tei Abal came to prominence on the passing of the leader of the United Party Mathias Toliman and believed that Pangu Party led by Michael Somare was in a bit of a hurry for independence for Papua New Guinea.
Oscar Tammur, the outspoken land rights advocate from the Kokopo area, took issues of land rights and the wellbeing of the Tolai people in business and politics to the bitter end when a younger, more liberal Rabbie Namaliu endorsed by Somare’s Pangu Party ousted him at the polls.
That bitterness has lived with Tammur’s son Patrick and in the latest elections he ousted the man who replaced his dad.
Tammur is now in a government headed by the very person who put up a candidate against his dad.
And then there is Arthur Somare, the ambitious, articulate younger Somare, sometimes fiery but quite an orator when it comes to the debates in the House. All four young men grew up in homes where politics was very much part of their lives and it was discussed in their presence in their lounge rooms.
At very early ages they all knew the bitterness involved in losing out, who to call friend and who to entertain.
For Byron Chan, his second hurdle to replace his dad has been achieved by becoming the Member for Namatanai and leader of the parliamentary wing of the party his father founded.
Dad is still in active politics as Governor of New Ireland but in Parliament, the younger Chan takes charge of the affairs of the People’s Progress Party and sits at the head of all its membership which includes his own father.
But then in the background Sir Julius will still continue to be the political tactician that he is to steer Byron through the thick and thin of PNG’s political wilderness.
Arthur Somare has come in from an electorate other than that of his father with his sights equally set on eventually replacing the old man.
From how he approaches his own ministry and the influence he exerts on both the party and government decisions, there is little doubt that the son wants to prove his own manhood.
His capability as a cabinet minister is unquestioned but it is a question of a political support base from where he can make a move on the leadership of the party his father founded.
This is easier said than done, given Papua New Guinea’s political track record.
Sir Michael would dearly love to hand over the reins to his son but the party does not belong to the Somares and there are other Sepiks who are just as influential and ambitious waiting to pounce on the leadership on Sir Michael’s departure.
Arthur has to contend with the likes of Patrick Pruaitch, Belden Namah, Gabriel Kapris, Andrew Kumbakor and even Tony Aimo to establish a strong Sepik backing before he can entice others to back him.
It is a dirt road with lot of potholes.
Sir Tei Abal told Parliament, “Mi bai sanap long dispela ileksen long laspela taem”.
He underestimated his Wabag electorate and the fact that Independence had already come and times had changed and the United Party was in tatters.
When he lost the Wabag Open seat, Sir Tei Abal went out of the pages of PNG’s history books.
But today we see his son Sam.
Not as fiery a politician as his dad … maybe because of his training as a career diplomat.
Sam’s political affiliations are a bit confusing.
He discusses politics with Governor Peter Ipatas and is not too close to Don Polye. He holds a senior portfolio in Cabinet but does not really influence the Highlands bloc in the house.
He featured prominently during the recent visit by the Australian Prime Minister ... holding press conferences about the visit and being there in the place of Sir Michael and Dr Puka Temu.
Does he want the job too?
By this time Sam will be monitoring closely the election recount of Paias Wingti.
The bush telegraph has it that in Paias Wingti’s book of numbers, the name Sam Abal has a prominent place together with others including those in Cabinet.
The man of the mountains, Don Polye gently strokes his long beard as he follows events as they unfold and wonders what is in it for him. Out of all these, Patrick Tammur is still trying to work out how to handle his new role as the Member for Kokopo.
When he defeated Namaliu, the entire nation almost demanded that he be one better than Namaliu in national politics.
The nation mourned the loss to politics of Namaliu and looked to the rebirth of a Tammur, but then East New Britain politics has changed since the Mataungan Association heydays.
On Namaliu’s watch, Rabaul moved to Kokopo and the islands have taken big strides in their economic development with the provincial government’s backing.
In his own Communications Ministry, Patrick Tammur has gone quiet while Arthur Somare has taken the communications fight to the boardrooms and the media.
Somare is not finished yet and young Tammur should start carving out his own name rather than holding onto a portfolio which looks like a “thank you gesture” for holding the post-elections meeting of the new government in Kokopo.
Tei Abal’s son Sam is fast approaching a crossroads in his political career unless he can display some of the wisdom of the great leader from Wabag who was his father, Sir Tei Abal.
Issues do change over the years.
Sir Michael Somare’s was political independence for PNG and to be able to govern our own affairs.
Sir Tei Abal opposed it, saying we were not ready. Oscar Tammur wanted the people of his province to be owners of their own land and to take charge of the economy.
Sir Julius Chan’s party was for a stable progressive economic base for PNG. Politics may have changed but the progress towards a better economic future is still being pursued.
This all points to Byron Chan who is still a leader-in-waiting to continue economic independence — a major policy for his party.
We can only wish them well in the choices they have made to follow their own fathers.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls 2010 Four Nations Tour

2010-10-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Stanley Gene is one of the highly regarded rugby league player here in Britain and recently has been made the coach of the Papua New Guinea Kumuls. Having watched the PNG Kumuls under him in the opening match against the Australian Kangaroos (Sunday 24 October, 2010; Paramatta Stadium in Australia), I am confident that if the Kumuls can avoid unnecessary mistakes, they can make an impact in the rugby league world and will definitely be in good contention for the world cup.
The Kumuls were tough and for the full 80 minutes they played a very hard defensive game against the Kangaroos. I must say it was sloppy mistakes that costed them the game against Australia (42-0) but I am surprised at the stamina the Kumuls had in wearing out the Australian Kangaroos by their hard tackles.

The Kumuls next game in New Zealand against the New Zealand Kiwis will be an interesting game to watch (Saturday 30 October, 2010)... will keep you posted what I think later.

Papua New Guinea's Short-Term Mining Benefit To Long-Term Disaster?

2010-08-18T04:04:00.001-07:00

Picture: Australian-based Marengo Mining Ltd has selected a site not too far from the Ramu NiCo’s refinery and planned DSTP system construction.
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Recently, there has been a lot of media interest regarding the mining operations in the Madang province of Papua New Guinea. The controversies surrounding the proposed dumping of mining wastes into the pristine Astrolabe Bay and Bismark Sea by Ramu NiCo the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt mine, has landed the Ramu NiCo in court with the submarine tailings disposals (STD) put on hold pending the court outcome. However, more recently, the developer of Madang’s second biggest mine is considering a deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) system – similar to the one by Ramu NiCo. The pending court case has further delayed construction of the Ramu Nico's refinery in Basamuk in Madang’s Astrolabe Bay.

The Australian-based Marengo Mining Ltd has selected a site not too far from the Ramu NiCo’s refinery and planned DSTP system construction which had been put on hold following an interim injunction taken by a group of landowners who claimed the system would be environmentally damaging. Australian-based Marengo Mining Ltd has selected a site not too far from the Ramu NiCo’s refinery and planned DSTP system construction which had been put on hold following an interim injunction taken by a group of landowners who claimed the system would be environmentally damaging (National, Newspaper)

What is surprising is that there are no conclusive proof that any STD or DSTP will be environmentally safe. Short-term benefit will no doubt come at a very high price to the people of Madang. Here is a report which might give one an overview and insight into STD and whats more interesting is that the reports done by certain environmental consultant companies into the mining operations are usually not published for peer review and scrutiny (Download pdf).

The support of mining by the Papua New Guinea government will always remain a controversial subject. Here is an article which might be of interest.

The government of Papua New Guinea must be mindful of long-term benefits for the people in Madang as well of those in areas within the country where possible mining developments are likely in the future and should make sure that proper tailings holding facilities or disposal systems must be in place before any mining operations can take place. I am aware that compromises will have to be made, but the decisions made today will have future implications whether good or bad. Therefore wisdom is required here by those in authority.

Environmentally safe mine tailings disposals can be built but it will most certainly be very costly. However, the government has the choice to make. Either to compromise the lives of people of Madang and their livelihood for the mining companies or to ask for completely independent and impartial environmental scientists to undertake impartial and sound scientific studies looking at all possible mine tailings disposal options and to give the government its unbiased advise so that decisions can be made in the best interest of the nation. These studies must be published for public and scientific scrutiny. The mining operators are only there for one purpose. To make more money. I shall leave that to the wisdom of the political leaders of Papua New Guinea.

Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather: A Courageous PNG Politician

2010-06-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

The Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather's resignation from the Somare-led Government is commended. Mr Fairweather has taken a decision which may not be popular with the current PNG government, but certainly is the right decision.

See report below from PNG Post Courier.

MP resigns

Sumkar rep quits Government in protest over ‘bulldozed’ environment amendment Bill

By PETER SEA

THE controversial amendment to the Environment Act 2000 passed recently by Parliament has struck a sour note in the Government backbenches.
Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather said yesterday he had resigned from the Government because he did not like the amendment.
“As Member for Sumkar, I do not want people in later years to say I did not safeguard their rights when I was in the seat,” he said on his way to Jackson’s Airport to board a plane for Madang.
Mr Fairweather said he had notified the National Parliament Speaker Jeffery Nape that he would be moving to the middle benches.
It is understood Mr Fairweather’s Peoples National Congress Party caucus will meet shortly to clarify the party’s position in regards to the controversial law.
“It is a controversial law. Procedures were not followed in the passage of the bill. I do not want people 70 years down the line to say that their forefathers did not do the right thing by them,” Mr Fairweather said.
“I am not against mining but I am against environmental damage that may affect the people of Sumkar in the future.”
In a newspaper advertisement, Mr Fairweather said he did not vote for changes to the Environment Act. He said: “The change, bulldozed through Parliament, takes away the right of the people to see justice in court. This is dictatorial and against every principle a democracy stands for.
“Sumkar is a maritime district. We are under the threat of environmental destruction:
• From tailings;
• From pollution from the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ); and
• Any residue pollution from the Ramu River. “The life of Karkar and Bagabag is centered around the sea. We see less fish and marine life every year. We are pristine islands – leave our environment alone.” Mr Fairweather said his position was clear on the PMIZ and the deep sea tailings project.
• PMIZ – stop it – perhaps we can have one more factory or double RD size. But not seven factories. Give the rest to other districts who have nothing. Pomio is a good example.
• Tailings – No to the deep sea system. Compromise and find an alternative even if the Government pays over time from royalties. Surely we can learn by the mistakes of others.
The Peoples National Congress Party led by Public Services Minister Peter O’Neill will have “a special meeting to form our policy on the environment. Our party leader will announce our decision this week”.
“I realise that my stand is against the position of National Alliance, PAP and others so be it,” he said in the advertisement.
Attempts to get comments from the Prime Minister’s office yesterday were unsuccessful. His media office did not return email and phone queries.

Papua New Guinea LNG project: Whose Benefit Will It Be?

2010-05-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

If the allegation by the former attorney-general and justice minister Dr Allan Marat is correct (see below), then the people of Papua New Guinea should begin to question the Somare led Government why an important resource development agreement was drawn up overseas without any legal consultation or advice from the PNG Government's own number one legal adviser and his legal team.

I am hoping that the LNG project will not be another expensive cost to the already over burdened Papua New Guineans where only the rich and those in government are forfeiting the future of young Papua New Guineans because of selfishness and greed. I may also add that there has been many resource developments in Papua New Guinea over the last thirty years, but to date the country continues to lagg behind in many aspect of socio-economic development compared to other progressing nations in the developing world. The simple truth is that there is systemic and systematic corruption in the country and until these are confronted and dealt with, I am afraid the solutions to PNG problems are yet out of reach.

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LNG law foreign, says former AG

Picture:

FORMER attorney-general and justice minister Dr Allan Marat says “a little team” met in Brisbane, Australia, and elsewhere to negotiate the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
“For some reason, I was not included in the team. My advice was never sought as there was no seriousness in using the office of the AG then.
“There was no serious consultation with me as (then) principal legal adviser to a matter that was of high national interest,” Marat told reporters in Kokopo last week.
He said even with the Maladina amendments, Esa’ala MP Moses Maladina never visited the AG’s office for advice on the proposed amendments to the Constitution and the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership.
He said even a private bill, like the Maladina amendments, was supposed to go through the proper channels of vetting, through the office of the AG, to the legislative council and then the government caucus before going to Parliament.
Marat said the existing system of vetting was never followed for the Maladina amendments.
“I do not know how he came up with the idea, and I do not even know how he saw the need to amend the leadership code,” he said.
On the LNG agreement, Marat said the first time he saw the document was on May 21 last year when it was pushed across the table and told that it would be signed the next day and the legal clearance was required that same day, although it was pre-dated May 28, 2009.
“How do you expect my lawyers and I to properly analyse the implications, the benefits or matters that would be against the best interest of Papua New Guinea in less than 24 hours when the agreement was more than 200 pages?” he asked.
“That’s what I mean. There was no serious consultation on serious matters like the LNG,” he added.
Marat said the AG’s office would need at least a week to vet and make serious contributions in the best interest of Papua New Guineans on the PNG LNG project.
“This gas agreement was drawn up overseas. It was taken away from our government negotiating team and structured overseas. And, we are now forced to dance to the music of foreigners,” he added.

(Source: The National Newspaper 18 May, 2010)

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New Year 2010

2010-01-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

So year 2009 has just been..another year, now gone into the history books. This new year brings fresh hope and aspiration to many the world over including myself. For me this new year will no doubt bring its own share of challenges but I know for sure that better days are ahead. In the UK we will be having the general elections this year which hopefully a new Government will be in place before the autumn start of the academic year. In Papua New Guinea, the Somare Government will also be doing its best to stay in power,while the country is suffering from economic hardship and high unemployment. Well, we just have to wait and see...right now its the weather that has been dominating the news in the UK. Yes, the UK has been hit by a cold snap from the arctic and from the european continent causing disruptions to travel with many schools and business houses closed this week. So what about this weather? Well, geographically, the UK is temperate in its location and therefore its weather is generally affected and influenced by the movement of five different air masses polar maritime, arctic maritime, polar continental, tropical continental and tropical maritime during the course of the year. Any one of those five air masses can become dominant or a combination of these air masses can be dominant over the UK at any one time throughout the year. See here. At the moment it is the arctic maritime and the polar continental air masses that are dominating the weather system of the British Isles and is set to continue for another week, if the forecasters are right (which they do sometimes but not all the time!).
In Liverpool, like in most parts of the UK many schools and businesses are closed this week.
Well, happy new year 2010...better days ahead, it will surely get warmer!!

Papua New Guinea's Expensive Aeronautical Showpiece - A Waste of Public Money

2009-11-24T04:10:00.000-08:00

It’s here!

Source: The National Newspaper

MADELEINE AREK

IT was an impressive sight as it came in to land, gliding in smoothly, this very expensive aeronautical showpiece. And those who control the public purse, and made the decision to buy it, assembled at Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby yesterday to marvel at this magnificent bird. “Excellent, very good,” were the first words uttered by Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu, after an inspection of the Falcon 900 EX aircraft soon after it touched down. Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, who accompanied Sir Puka on the inspection, said: “A state-of-the-art aircraft, very impressive, very good.”

The two were part of a small crowd that gathered at Gate 16 of the old airport to mark the arrival of the Government’s controversial purchase. The aircraft, fitted with an in-built conference facility, modern entertainment system, and an interior tailor-made for the avid modern traveller, touched down just before 11am yesterday after an eight-hour, 20-minute flight flying at 41,000 feet across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu in Hawaii. Built in France by Dassault Aviation, the aircraft in its “green state” was flown to Little Rock in Arkansas, USA where it was prepared for Air Niugini at a cost of US$40 million (K112 million), which included the interior, avionics, cabinet-making, entertainment system and specified paint scheme, among other things. It also has cameras fitted on it to aid navigation in bad weather. The aircraft has a five-year warranty and during that time, it will be leased to the Government as well as private sector organisations and individuals.

The aircraft is powered by three Honeywell TFE31-60 turbo fan engines and has the capacity to carry 12 passengers in a standard configuration. It is the finest in its class, with its classic tri-jet engines design. It can land at small airports and fly at high attitudes, even on hot days. It is designed to fly 4,500 nautical miles non-stop.

An elated Sir Puka told those who turned up for the occasion that the aircraft, unlike its twinjet competitor, was very versatile and had a significant safety feature, given its ability to fly slower on approach. “The Falcon 900 EX can land at almost all provincial airports in the country,” Sir Puka said, as if to rebut criticisms that this aircraft could not land in most airstrips in the country. Air Niugini board chairman Sir James Tjoeng said: “Such an arrangement is the first for this country and I would like to thank the National Government for having the trust and confidence in Air Niugini by allowing us to partner in this commercial arrangement. “This is a great opportunity for Air Niugini and we will do our best to serve and provide you the exemplary service that you expect,” said Sir James.

The legend ‘Papua New Guinea Vision 2050’ is inscribed on both sides of the fuselage, the irony of this not lost on an observer among the crowd at the airport. “We have to forego a lot in health and education to buy this aircraft for only a few very privileged people to use,” the person said.

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So here is what I think....

If Papua New Guinea is to fully develop itself to be a dynamic and competitive nation in this world, the government is under obligation to spend and manage public money wisely. Many things are important, however not all are essential and core to nation building. Certainly core priorities in nation building must and should include education, health, infrastructure (roads, airports, seaports, telecomminications etc) and job creation initiatives and programmes for Papua New Guineans. It is a shame that successive governments have yet to get their acts and priorities right! No wonder, the cost of living in PNG is so high and the irony of it all is that the country is so blessed with many natural resources generating billions of Kina (local currency) through mining and other primary and secondary industries every year and yet these billions are yet to be helping the ordinary person on the street or in one remote village in Papua New Guinea......

John Bailey Nirenga [24 Nov, 2009]

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Papua New Guinea Bosavi's Hidden Wonders and the Threat of Logging Operations

2009-09-21T04:17:00.000-07:00

Bosavi's hidden wonders

From The PNG National Newspaper

Source:

The BBC takes the world into the crater of an extinct volcano in PNG and unearths a hidden trove of animal life. SINCLAIRE SOLOMON reports

PAPUA New Guinea’s own untouched Galapagos secret world attracted much world attention this month because of the weird and wonderful creatures that have been “discovered” after 200,000 years of isolation.
First, there was the announcement of a rat, which has no fear of humans, measures 82cm long, placing it among the largest species of rat known anywhere in the world. This was followed by the announcement that the world’s smallest parrot has been filmed in the wild for the first time.
Like the Galapagos Islands of the Charles Darwin fame, our very own isolated animal world - in the remote Mt Bosavi area of Southern Highlands province - has unearthed unseen species of life, including giant rats and fanged frogs inside an extinct volcanic crater.
Mt Bosavi’s unique species of fauna and flora, notably the Bosavi Giant Rat, will be featured on BBC1 television, one of the world’s biggest television network, on Sept 22 as part of the network’s The Lost Land of the Volcano series which started last week Tuesday.
From what is available on the internet this week, the BBC sent a team of explorers along to investigate the inner crater of Mt Bosavi, a volcano thought not to have erupted for about 200,000 years.
Inside the crater the environment has been protected from large predators and the inhabitants have been left follow their own unique pattern of evolution, not too differently from the animals and birds of the volcanic Galapagos Islands on the opposite end of the Pacific Ocean.The BBC said on its website that heading the expedition, sent to film the wildlife documentary for the BBC was naturalist Steve Buckshall, wildlife cameraman and naturalist Gordon Buchanan and head scientist Dr George McGavin.
The Bosavi Woolly Rat was first captured on film on a remote camera set up by Buchanan. It was then later seen for the first time, in the flesh by a tracker who called over biologist Dr Kristofer Helgen and Gordon Buchanan. The rat has long silvery fur and measures 82cm long and weighs around 1.5kg.
Helgen said, “This is one of the world’s largest rats. It is a true rat related to the same kind you find in the city sewers - but a heck of a lot bigger.”
Traditional beliefs may have kept the locals away from the crater which is about 4km wide and 1km deep, on the Great Papuan Plateau, making it an ideal home for the rat and other creatures which, the BBC team found, were very tame.
Other amazing discoveries by the BBC team included many new frogs, including a fanged frog, and al ot of new insects, including jumping spiders and spiders camouflaged as lichen.
“Many bird species were found to be inhabiting the area, including a beautiful fruit dove with green wings and a red head and a striking red bird named the King Bird of Paradise,” the BBC said.
Part of the mountain, which rises more than 2,000m above the surrounding plain, is included in the Sulamesi Wildlife Management Area, set up in 2006, formed part of the proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kikori River Basin/Great Papuan Plateau.
The people living just north of the mountain refer to themselves as Bosavi kalu (people of Bosavi) and divide into four marked groups.
The international WWF is heavily involved in the three major rainforest Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the area, protecting some of PNG’s most threatened wildlife habitat.
It supported the Bosavi people’s efforts in protecting their land and heritage for future generations.
Together with the Department of Environment and Conservation it acknowledges that the Kikori Basin has a variety of forest habitats that are home to some of PNG’s most threatened species, as well as dramatic landscape features that include the cockpit and needle karsts of the extensive Darai limestone, the remarkable Hegigio Gorge and the spectacular Wassi and Wawoi waterfalls.
WWF says that the animals of the region rank among the most spectacular found anywhere on earth and include the world’s longest lizard, largest pigeon, largest moth and one of the world’s largest butterflies. Rare species of plant-life can also be found here, and recently WWF reported that eight new species of orchid had been discovered in the area with around 20 further species are being verified.
In the BBC documentary, the team is based at the foot of Mt Bosavi and with the help of local trackers they searched for the animals that live there, and they make their amazing finds, including the nest of the world’s smallest parrot, and types of frog, gecko and bat that are completely new to science.
“Series combining stunning wildlife with high-octane adventure, as a team of scientists and wildlife filmmakers from the BBC’s Natural History Unit explores one of the last great unspoilt jungle wildernesses on earth,” said one rave preview in the English media.
“Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan discovers the nest of the world’s smallest parrot, insect expert Dr George McGavin finds a talking beetle, the scientists identify types of frog, gecko and bat that are completely new to science, and adventurer Steve Backshall has to live and sleep underground as he explores a cave system flooded with white water.
“The cameras follow the team every sweaty step of the way as they search for the evidence that may help preserve this last great jungle forever,” said the preview.

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I have watched the BBC documentary on Mt Bosavi and I must say I was quite impressed with the discoveries of the new species of animals (fauna) and plants (flora) found within and around Mt Bosavi. Certainly we must make every effort to protect these species. The documentary also highlighted a disturbing extent to which logging operations have had within that area. If care is not taken by the Government of Papua New Guinea in controlling these logging operations, most of these unique species both discovered as well as those that are yet to be discovered will be lost forever. Below are two video clips on Mt Bosavi by the BBC. [John B Nirenga].

(For more clips visit the BBC Lost Land of the Volcano webpage http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mqjx2 or on their Youtube website http://www.youtube.com/user/BBC )

Video Clip1: Giant Rat found in Mt Bosavi's Extinct Volcanic Crater

Video Clip2: Birds of Paradise

A Disgrace of Democracy by the Papua New Guinea Government

2009-07-30T05:46:00.000-07:00

The fiasco in the Papua New Guinea Parliament reported this week in the media can only be summarised as an excercise of self-preservation by a Government who has lost control in upholding and maintaining the intergrity of the House of Parliament. Shame to the Speaker of Parilament Jeffery Nape and to Sir Michael Somare and his government! Below is what The Post Courier Editorial has reported [ PNG Post Courier. ]

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Shameless Exercise in Self-Preservation!

PARLIAMENT was subjected to a brutal show of strength by the reigning Government yesterday when it rammed through a four-month “holiday’’ for the Members.
It was a shameless exercise in self-preservation.
If the Government truly had the numbers, they would have let the Opposition motion of no-confidence be accepted and put to the ultimate test.
There is no visible excuse for the episode that enraged the Opposition members and many of the people in the public gallery.
It remains to be seen how the rest of Papua New Guinea takes the enforced holiday.
We would not be surprised if there is a major groundswell of resentment and disgust at what went on in the Haus Tambaran of the Waigani swamps.
The Government knew what was coming and did all it could to prevent it getting to the starting post, let alone letting the race be run.
People on both sides of politics are questioning the role of the office of the Speaker in this shambles of democratic practice.
The King of Morata is quoted accurately in yesterday’s report by our reporter, at first denying the motion of no-confidence had been accepted by his office, then conceding it had been.
There was considerable talk in the power circles of Waigani yesterday about the to and fro of key brokers to negotiate the “acceptance’’ of the motion. Some of that talk was rather negative and cast a dim light on the democratic process.
Now we are faced with the prospect of a further four months without the opportunity for our 109 elected members of having some say in the running of the country.
Academic Dr Ray Anere believes the whole exercise in adjourning Parliament and refusing to take heed of the motion is a flaunting of the Constitution.
There is a little matter of the Constitution insisting on a minimum of 63 sitting days in a year. This matter has previously been the subject of court interpretation.
Opinion is that Parliament has only sat for 41 days and will find it hard to squeeze in another 22 days before the end of the 12 months to satisfy the lawyers.
In the meantime, the Government of Waigani will continue to rule by virtue of the “kitchen cabinet’’ of a handful of powerful ministers and have their way with important affairs of state, like the ExxonMobil liquefied gas project.
Shame on them and pity the people of PNG!

Carterets Islanders Moved To Their New Homes

2009-05-01T01:52:00.000-07:00

Below is an article in the Papua New Guinea Post Courier today (Friday 01 May, 2009) on the plight of the Carterets Islanders. Read and watch a video on the Carterets Islanders on one of my earlier posting here.

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Carterets People Resettled

By GORETHY KENNETH

THE first world climate refugees from Carterets Island moved to their new homes, Tinputz, the relocation site last Wednesday to prepare the land for their families to move over permanently.
Fathers of the first five families to relocate arrived on the shores of Tinputz on Wednesday.
The fathers, Boski, Kamin, Cahrles Tsibi, Texan and Bernard arrived in a banana boat hired by Tulele Peisa from the Health Centre on Han Carterets.
The fathers brought along their sons to support them in the work leading up to the time when their wives and children will eventually join them. Head of a non-government organisation, Tulele Peisa, Ursula Rakova yesterday said they had raised K15,000 to bring these families over to Tinputz and denied the Bougainville Administration did nothing to help with the relocation program.
She said they were able to build sago houses for these five families and are hoping the government intervenes to provide funds for iron roofing and other necessities.
Ms Rakova said yesterday that the five fathers were met by the Tinputz community, representatives of the Tinputz Parish Council and Tulele Peisa on arrival.
They arrival was quiet but a significant historic occasion and to a traditional welcome ceremony performed by women from Tinputz.
For more than three years now Tulele Peisa mandated by the elders from Carterets to fast-track the relocation of the islanders has been working in close partnership and dialogue with the Catholic Church of Bougainville for land to voluntary resettle some families from the Carterets. In response the Catholic gave 41 hectares of land.
Work on the resettlement site began last year.
“Carterets Islanders want to relocate to mainland,” she said. “They want to begin true relationships with their host community partners, get involved in some income generating activities to sustain their lives.” The five families were chosen from a criteria set by Tulele Peisa with the emphasis on size of family, whether a family has enough to feed on the island, access to paying school fees and medical services and the whether the family is able to survive on the island for the next two years.”
Ms Rakova said Tulele Peisa ran the criteria past some of the elders in Buka, Carterets and Tinputz and most agreed that it catered for the everyday questions raised. In Carterets, some of the families whose fathers arrived in Tinputz this week signed on early and they were all smiles when their boat reached Tinputz. “What can I say, I’m lost for words and cannot believe I am definitely here to prepare the place for the movement of my fellow islanders”, Bernard Tobara of Yolasa, Carterets, said in a statement sent yesterday.
“On Monday during a big meeting to farewell and wish us luck on our journey an argument broke out as some fathers complained that they had put up their names first, but were not included,”Charles Tsibi said.
As soon as the welcome party left, the fathers went to work in cleaning up their village, raking up leaves that had collected over the years, some cutting away branches, while others went about putting up a tent for the night – their first night in their new home.

Voluntary Payment For Carbon Emission by the PNG Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCC&ES).

2009-04-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Report from the PNG National Newspaper (23rd April,2009)

Climate Change Staff Pay Fees

THE Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCC&ES) has taken the lead in voluntarily paying for carbon emissions.
Staff members from the office starting from executive director Dr Theo Yasause have paid their carbon offsets of K12,000 yesterday towards assisting in the resettlement of Carteret Islanders who have been affected by global warming.
The next payment, due next month, will be for mangrove planting along the Motuan coast.
Dr Yasause said the office was also looking at using low fuel products on all its vehicles to help reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
He said an NEC submission was being prepared for Cabinet to seek a policy direction for Government ministers, MPs, departmental heads and others to start paying for the carbon footprints.
The pay scale structure will apply.
Under this proposal, our current carbon emissions of two million metric tonnes annually will be offset by undertaking reforestation and afforestation projects as well as support climate impact projects across the country, thereby making PNG carbon neutral by next year.
Dr Yasause said this when presenting certificates to more than 50 officers who completed their three-day induction course at the PNGIPA and a new life for most as public servants.
He said intense interest had been raised among policy makers around the world on the evolving long-term international framework to promote the transition to low-carbon economies needed to address global and national climate change impacts.
“If current trends continue, the country’s and the region’s greenhouse emissions whether from energy production, transportation, deforestation, or other sources, will be comparable to those of Europe and North America.
“We must find and adopt new patterns of urban development, energy production and consumption, land use, and waste management, or else it will find itself increasingly contributing to the global climate change problem and broader resources degradation – with negative consequences for our people and the planet as a whole.
“We all have a shared responsibility, and must act responsibly.
“Action is needed both to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to identify and act upon the highest priorities for integrating climate adaptation measures into planning and investment at the project, district, regional, national and global levels,” Dr Yasause said.

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For a country like PNG, this is certainly a very bold move . Dr Yasause and his staff should be commended. I only hope this move will be supported by the Papua New Guinea Government. [John B Nirenga (April, 2009)]

King Tides in Papua New Guinea

2008-12-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Recently this month many eastern facing coastal low lying areas of Papua New Guinea had experienced some form of flooding and inundation by the sea as surges of higher spring tides affected these areas. Whilst the media reported them as King tides many may probably wonder what actually causes such tides. I have provide a link here where most of these questions can be answered. Below is a report from the Papua New Guinea PostCourier today.
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King tides expected to hit PNG shores

By Simon Eroro

SPRING tides or king tides are expected to occur throughout the country towards the end of this month and early next month.
The Director of the National Disaster Centre (NDS) Martin Mose said according to the National Weather Service’s (NDS) warning issued yesterday, the spring tides are expected to occur throughout Papua New Guinea’s coastal waters.
Mr Mose said this is expected to occur from January 7 to 14 and urged communities along the coastal areas to take extra precautions during this period.
He said the people living along the coastlines should identify and high er ground and safest routes to the higher grounds when the high tides are experienced.
“Make it a habit to listen to radio or watch the television for any warnings that may be issued by authorities such as the NDS Office,” Mr Mose said.
He said if the warning is issued, people must move inland or to higher grounds immediately, adding young men and women must have the courage to help children, older people and the disabled to move with them.
He also warned people to stay away from beaches until authorities had declared them safe.
Mr Mose said learning from all the disasters that occur, people must take with them an emergency kit which should include spare clothes, canned or fried food, water, water containers, candles, a torch with spare batteries, matches or lighter and a lamp with kerosene.
“Although the authorities will continue to discharge current updates on the spring tides and king tides occurrence, communities must also take up the responsibility to confirm before taking the necessary steps to evacuate to safer areas,” Mr Mose said.

Sinking Atolls On Agenda

2008-11-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

SINKING Carterets Island and the political situation on Bougainville will be among the highlights of a series of topics to be discussed during the ACP/EU meeting this week by the Government.

It will be part of the Climate Change discussion and the impact on small island nations which will take the lead on Thursday when regional experts take to the floor.Trade and RD Tuna processing and health, malaria and TB and HIV/AIDS in PNG will also be discussed.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who is currently in Peru, Lima in his welcome speech to the members and leaders of the ACP/EU counterparts in the country said that the success of the political situation on Bougainville would be highlighted to the members at the meeting.

“As you arrive on our shores, I have good news for you all,” he said.
“During the 2006 ACP Council meeting and 31st Session ACP-EU Council of Ministers hosted in Port Moresby, the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea suffered a civil unrest for almost a decade,” Sir Michael said.
“Many countries and organisations in the region including ACP and EU offered assistance for the rehabilitation and restoration of services on the island province.

“Today we are witnessing the fruits of this work and an autonomous government is in place on Bougainville,” he said.
Details of this success will be outlined at the political seminar on Thursday at the Holiday Inn.

Acting Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu will be expected to address the formal opening ceremony of the joint ACP/EU meeting with a major plenary session today followed by dinner hosted by Dr Temu at the State function Hall at Parliament tonight.

Source: Postcourier 25-11-2008)

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Checkout my earlier posting on the Carterets Island below.

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Good Luck to PNG Kumuls in the Rugby League World Cup

2008-10-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

I wish Adrian Lam (Coach) and the Telikom PNG Kumuls the best of luck when they take on the New Zealand Kiwis in Gold Coast, Queensland Australia this Saturday. PNG Kumuls have in the past beaten the Kiwis and they can do it again!

Photo source: The National (31-10-2008)

Time to celebrate ... Kumuls Neville Costigan, Jason Chan and Paul Aiton celebrating Chan’s try last weekend. They and their teammates’ performance tomorrow against the Kiwis will have a major bearing on their future in the game. – AAPpic

Hero’s welcome for Francis Kompaon in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

2008-09-23T03:16:00.000-07:00

Torchbearer Francis Kompaon displays the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2008.

(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Francis Kompaon (centre) at a rousing welcome in Goroka.
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Hero’s welcome

By ZACHERY PER
PARALYMPIC silver medallist Francis Kompaon was treated to a rousing hero’s home coming in Goroka yesterday after he touched down at the Goroka airport.
Staff of the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the University of Goroka (UOG) where Kompaon is a second year pre-service student, turned up at the airport in large numbers to receive him and his coach Peter Aglua.
Staff and students of UOG arranged a motorcade and took Kompaon and Aglua around the main streets of Goroka town before going to the campus.
At the campus, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Dr James Yoko told Kompaon that he had set a milestone for Papua New Guinea to better his achievement at the Olympic level.
“UoG is happy you made us proud by being the first to receive an Olympic silver medal,” Dr Yoko said.
He said the university would organise a formal gathering to comprise interested stakeholders to recognise the achievement of the disable athlete.
In a brief welcome luncheon at NSI, acting director Kaylie Martins said for Kompaon to train on grass track and go on to win silver on synthetic tracks was a milestone achievement.
She said it was the dividend for the dedication of coach Aglua, his support staff and Kompaon himself.
“Everyone was involved in one way or another towards getting Kompaon to achieve this milestone.
“He had been running on the grass track and to win a medal on synthetic track sends a message that despite of disabilities, dedication and commitments can pay off,” Martins said.
Kompaon said he was overjoyed when he finally knew that he had won a medal for his country.
He said whether he won gold, silver or bronze, it would not have mattered but he was overwhelmed because at least he won an Olympic medal for PNG.
“I already knew that I would win a medal because others were way behind the Australian (Heath Francis) and me.
“He was in lane seven and I was in lane three when we got to the finish. I celebrated wildly and that confused the Australian who thought I won gold,” he said.
He said he was the first person in the Pacific to win a silver medal at the Olympic level and described it as a great feeling.
His coach Aglua said Team PNG went as unknowns but were recognised after winning a medal in the T46 class 100m sprint and raising the PNG flag at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing.
“The win was not only for PNG but also for three-quarters of the black African nations, who did not win any medals at all at the Paralympic Games,” Aglua said.
Celebrations in Goroka are likely to continue for sometime this week before Kompaon is taken to his home province in East New Britain, where a bumper provincial celebration to be hosted by the ENB provincial government is planned.

Source: The National Newspaper [23rd September 2008]

Sea-Level Rise In Papua New Guinea - The Carteret Islands

2008-08-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

In one of my previous posting I highlighted the problem of sea-level rise in Papua New Guinea. The video below shows the impact of sea-level rise on the Carteret Islands of the Bougainville Province of Papua New Guinea.

[Video Source: Journeyman Pictures ]

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Olympics Dream 2008 and Beyond

2008-08-09T04:14:00.000-07:00

[ Photo: Ryan Pini leading the PNG Team in Beijing 2008 Olympics. Photo Source: The National Newspaper]

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Papua New Guinean athletes currently in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic games deserves some kind of official recognition from the government of Papua New Guinea whether they win any medals or not. Without doubt the few Papua New Guinean athletes in Beijing have done their best by giving their time, talents and effort to make it to the Olympics representing the country they love. It will be shameful if the country they are representing has not invested and given them the best available opportunities to complete at the highest possible level internationally. What saddens me and probably a number of other Papua New Guineans too, is that, Papua New Guinea as a country has not made any serious impact on the Olympic scene. Since 1974 when the PNG Sport Federation (PNGSF) became affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Papua New Guinea had its first Olympic game exposure and opportunity in 1976 in Montreal, Canada. Up until recently, through the work of the PNGSF, many Papua New Guinean sportsmen and women have had the opportunity to compete internationally with some success especially in the Commonwealth and the South Pacific games but, what Papua New Guinea needs now is to focus in making some kind of breakthrough in the Olympic games in 2012 and beyond.

Interestingly, one only needs foresight to realise the immense opportunities that exists to improve Papua New Guinea's tourism potential and its international image abroad. Papua New Guinea as a country needs to improve its image abroad and sports can play a significant role in that endeavour. When many Papua New Guineans are given the opportunity to train and compete abroad, it can only work for the good of the country. When we begin to see Papua New Guineans making the necessary breakthroughs around the world in sports, it can only bring more positive media coverage of Papua New Guinea as a country.

As one look beyond the Beijing 2008 Olympic games, one can only hope that the government of Papua New Guinea and the PNGSF, as partners in nation building, will seriously evaluate the funding, management and development of sports in Papua New Guinea in a more pragmatic, determined and proactive manner with the view of promoting sports within the country and abroad. It is through evaluation that mistakes of the past can be rectified for the collective benefit of the future. I am predicting that one day, Papua New Guineans will say that Olympic golds are no longer dreams but realities.....for now, good luck to Ryan Pini and the Papua New Guinea athletes in Beijing for the Beijing 2008 Olympic games.

Reviewing of the Dual Salary System in Papua New Guinea

2008-07-02T01:38:00.000-07:00

From the National Newspaper [02 July, 2008]

Time to review pay structure, says PM

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare told Parliament yesterday it was time to review the dual salary system adapted during the colonial era.
Sir Michael said after the review, a single and equal salary structure would be proposed.
This, the Prime Minister said, would hopefully lure back PNG professionals now working abroad.
He said the dual structure was adapted before Independence when PNG did not have specialised and qualified people in the workforce. Expatriates were then recruited on a higher salary package to train Papua New Guineans.
He said Papua New Guineans have excelled and it was time to review the salary system.
“The time has come for PNG to have an equal salary structure. We can afford it.” The single salary structure is across the board for locals and expatriates alike in the both the public and private sectors.
The Prime Minister was responding to queries in Parliament by Western Governor Bob Danaya.

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The Dual Salary structure in Papua New Guinea has forced many professional Papua New Guineans to work abroad where conditions are far better. It surely has taken a while for Sir Michael to realise that professional Papua New Guineans cannot be treated as second class citizens in their own country.

There are many other issues in Papua New Guinea that also need urgent attention. Most importantly, Sir Michael must work hard to create more jobs for many unemployed people in Papua New Guinea. When there are many people in employment, crime rate will certainly decrease and the living standard of many ordinary Papua New Guineans will improve. Things can only get better for the country when there is political will and determination by the leaders of the country to work for the collective good of its people.

The current standard of living and economic climate in Papua New Guinea is not conducive to stimulating economic growth and prosperity of the country and certainly many ordinary folks and citizens of the country are struggling to make ends meet for their families. What is really disheartening is that for many years qualified and highly skilled Papua New Guineans were discriminated against by a colonial salary system that is still in existence to this very day and age!

However, what Sir Michael is now proposing is something worth commending even if it is long over due. Lets just hope that his proposal will become law and reality.
[John B Nirenga- 02 July, 2008]
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Papua New Guinea Gas Project Deal

2008-05-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

[Report from the PNG National Newspaper 23rd May, 2008]

K38 billion gas project sealed

With a consortium that includes one of the world’s largest companies, Exxon Mobil, placing PNG on the global commercial scene.
The project will underpin the PNG economy for the next 40 to 50 years, as it has the potential to earn more than K130 billion in income for the Government and landowners over a 30-year period once LNG export begins.
The gas agreement was signed by the Governor-General, Sir Paulias Matane, and Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma and the project’s joint venture participants which include ExxonMobil, Oil Search, Santos, Nippon Oil, MRDC and Eda Oil.
The agreement outlines the fiscal and legal framework by which the LNG project will be regulated through its lifetime.
The agreement was formally presented to the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, at a ceremony in Parliament yesterday where executives of the joint ventures, members of the diplomatic corp, Members of Parliament and invited guests attended.
The Prime Minister said the agreement is a major achievement and provides a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to the project.
Sir Michael said its potential impact is significant as it could double the GDP of PNG and provide a big boost to the average income of the PNG workforce.
“Papua New Guineans should be proud.
“We have now become the 16th nation in the world to have a substantial LNG project in place,” Sir Michael said.
He said the PNG LNG project is of world class and will show the global community that PNG is an ideal place to invest and do business.
ExxonMobil project executive Peter Graham said the gas agreement has set out the fiscal regime and legal framework by which the PNG LNG project will be regulated.
Mr Graham said ExxonMobil, which has a 41.5% interest in the project, is pleased to have the gas agreement executed.
“We look forward to working with the PNG Government and our joint venture participants to maximum the value of the resource and long-term sustainable benefits to the community,” Mr Graham said.
The project is set to enter front end engineering and design (FEED) stage.
The FEED team will comprise personnel from ExxonMobil, the joint ventures and the FEED contractors based in PNG, Australia, the United States and Japan.
The FEED stage will pursue LNG sales agreements, secure necessary permits and licences, and undertake the financial planning necessary for investment decision.
Oil Search managing director Peter Botten said they were happy that the agreement has been executed. Oil Search has a 34% stake in the project.
The PNG LNG Project includes all development components including the processing facilities, pipelines and LNG plant facilities.
Other stakeholders are Santos 17.7%, AGL 3.6%, Nippon 1.8%, landowners 1.2%, and Eda Oil 0.2%. Interests will change when the PNG State’s nominee join as an equity participant at a later date.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare opens a gift box watched closely by ExxonMobil project executive Peter Graham and executives of joint venture partners and government officers at the presentation ceremony at Parliament House yesterday. – Nationalpic by WILLIAM WILLIANDO

Comments from J.B. Nirenga [May 23, 2008]

The signing of this gas deal between the government of Papua New Guinea and joint venture partners of Exxon Mobil is clearly historic but Papua New Guinea as a country, and more so the landowners from which this natural gas is located may not benefit a great deal in terms of infrastructural and socio-economical development. I may not be absolutely correct here, but I perceive that many of these so called resource development deals and agreements are done by the government of Papua New Guinea without any of its own tangible long-term plan for the country for creating an economy within the country that will create jobs and improve the standard of living of its people. After over thirty years since independence from Australia, Papua New Guinea has a growing population with high illiteracy amongst its population, and the standard of living has consistently dropped over the years. Crime and criminal activities are on the rise simply because there are no jobs for school leavers and many young people are just frustrated of a system that is working against them and their aspirations. I am hoping that when politicians and bureaucrats start thinking less of themselves and begin to serve their people, and their country maybe, just maybe..... the future will be bright again for Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea and Australian governments yesterday agreed to preserve Kokoda

2008-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper, Dated: 24 April, 2008]

Kokoda to be preserved
THE PNG and Australian governments yesterday agreed to preserve Kokoda, putting an end to plans by an Australian company to develop a gold mine there.
Environment Minister Benny Allen announced that a Government task force had managed to convince the landowners to place the benefits to the nation and Australia above their aspirations.
He said the landowners will be given all infrastructure including schools, clinics and roads.
They will also be helped to sustain their livelihood, he said.
Mr Allen was speaking with his Australian counterpart Peter Garrett by his side.
Garrett said that the Kokoda trail had lured tourism from a mere 50 to 80 people a year to more than 1,000 in the last five years.
He said it was hard for Australia to see a heritage of iconic war-time value lost.
Under an agreement signed between the two governments, no mining will take place in Kokoda and the Owen Stanley Ranges of the Central and Oro provinces.
Mining Minister Dr Puka Temu told The National from Madang yesterday it is unlikely that the exploration licence currently held by Australian mining company, Frontier Holdings, will be renewed now that the agreement has been signed.
Dr Temu said he will be advising the mining advisory council against further mining exploration activities in the area.
Dr Temu, who is also deputy prime minister, described the agreement as well negotiated and “good news” for the landowners.
He said he will be meeting landowners of Kodu to explain the long-term benefits that will be gained as a result of the agreement.
Australian minister for environment, heritage and the arts Peter Garrett said in a statement after the signing that the Australian government has committed A$14.9 million to assist the PNG government in its efforts to improve the livelihoods of local communities along the track.
Garrett said Australia and PNG have agreed to preserve the historic values of Kokoda Track and maintain the integrity of the track.
He said the fund will assist to establish effective management arrangements so the track is protected and delivers increasing benefits to local people.
“Those funds will also be used to conduct a feasibility study into a world heritage nomination,” Garrett said.
He added that the department of veterans will administer A$1million of funding to develop educational materials to increase awareness of the special importance of the track.
“The Australian government is committed to following through with real resources and real action to assist the government and people of PNG in their efforts to protect the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges while improving the people’s livelihoods.”

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I view this landmark agreement between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia as truly significant and historic. Developing countries like Papua New Guinea at times succumb to the pressures of resource developers under the guise of creating "development" in remote and isolated communities and I may add that sadly such "developments" carries huge human and environmental costs. Kokoda may be a special case however, it is worth pointing out that Papua New Guinea is a country blessed with bountiful natural resources but careless exploitation of its natural resources will be at the expense of its future generation. Exploitation of resources can be done in a more pragmatic and sustainable manner. It only needs the government and its leaders to have a realistic long-term developmental plan for the country that requires foresight and takes into consideration the future needs and aspiration of the next generation. [John Nirenga, 24 April, 2008]
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El-Nino blamed for poor harvest in Papua New Guinea

2008-04-23T02:30:00.000-07:00

[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper - Wednesday April 23, 2008]

El-Nino blamed for poor harvest
DESPITE PNG recording low agriculture outputs during past national election years, election and politics are not to be blamed for these poor crop harvests, an Australian academic has said.
Dr Roderick Duncan, a marketing lecturer at the Charles Sturt University in Australia, in a recent Pacific Economic Bulletin issue, said his study has found that there had been declines in the production for PNG’s four main tree crops coffee, cocoa, oil-palm and copra during election years.
The election years covered in the study include 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002.
However, based on calculations using models with data from PNG sources, Dr Duncan found that the four tree crop harvest declines in those years were not related to politics and the national elections, but were coincidently caused by the weather phenomenon known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) during those election years.
ENSO results from the seasonal air pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia, with high air pressure over Australia and low air pressure over Tahiti.
This brings weak trade winds resulting in droughts to countries in the Pacific like PNG.
Major ENSO episodes, he said, occurred in those years, which resulted in low rainfall during those years, affecting coffee, cocoa, oil-palm, and copra harvests.
“By estimating the supply functions of PNG cash-crop producers, what was discovered was that blame more likely lay with the ENSO episodes that occurred recently and coincided with low values with the elections of 1982 and 1997,” Dr Duncan said.
“It is this coincidence that could have led some observers to believe that harvests and elections were linked,” he said.

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The above claim by Dr Duncan is quite interesting as reported in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper today [Wednesday 23 April, 2008].

Where there is a lingering high atmospheric pressure system over an area, drought conditions can easily develop. One would most likely observe that air moisture and humidity will tend to decrease or is reduced dramatically. Furthermore, the sky usually have less cloud cover so there will be increased evapo-transpiration [evaporation from ground surfaces and from plants and vegetation]. Ground surface temperatures also increases during the day as insolation [incoming short-wave solar radiation] from the sun is not hindered by cloud cover. In the night, especially in areas like Kandep in the Enga Province of the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and other high attitude areas such as Togoba area of the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, night time temperatures will drop quite dramatically giving rise to early morning frosts which can be quite severe at times. As moisture in the air and soil continues to be reduced over an area by a lingering high atmospheric pressure system, one would generally observe that in such an area droughts can become established. [John Nirenga, April 23, 2008].
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Climate Change and Papua New Guinea: Some Biological and Geographical Senarios

2008-04-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Global Climate Change can impact countries both positively and negatively in a variety of ways. But for now, I will consider broadly its biological and geographical implications as it relates to Papua New Guinea.

(1) Biological. Whilst it may be subtle in other geographic locations around the world, it can be quite pronounced in some. There may be species of plants and animals uniquely adapted to certain localities in Papua New Guinea that may not be able to migrate quite easily to newer ideal environments as their localities changes in response to the changing prevailing environmental conditions. Consequently, these plants and animal species can easily become extinct. For those plants and animals that are able to migrate, they will most certainly do and can become established in new territories. We may also find an increase in the population of bacteria and other micro organisms progressively from the coastal areas of Papua New Guinea inland upward towards the highland areas in response to increased surface temperatures. As a general note: bacterial activities and population tends to increase in warmer temperatures.

We may also find many new colonies of warmer aquatic life in upland streams and rivers as water temperature increases in response to warmer air and surface temperatures.

(2) Geographical. It is now an accepted fact that sea level is rising globally. The obvious impact of that will be the inundation and drowning of low lying coastal areas and the landward intrusion of saline water, hence contaminating the fresh water tables. Also, the global increase in temperatures has already impacted weather patterns around the world and it has influenced the severity of many weather and climatic events such as the monsoon rainfalls of South-east Asia and the prolonged drought in other parts of the world like the Ethiopia's southern Borena region.

The increase in temperatures means increases in the sea and land surface temperatures. Land and sea surface temperatures affects the air temperature which influences atmospheric pressures and working in concert with the Coriolis effect can influence the intensity and possibly the frequency of severe events such as tropical cyclones. Areas which are already dry can easily become more drier as drought conditions become established through prolonged dry periods.

Papua New Guinea is uniquely placed in the Southern hemisphere and like Australia is also influenced by other climatic events called the El nino and La Nina. It is highly likely that global Climatic change will only increase the severity and magnitude of these natural events.

Furthermore as we experience a global climatic change, the vast areas of high altitude land in Papua New Guinea once uncultivated because of the frosts and cold temperatures, may now become useful agricultural lands. This certainly will be good for the vast population of the highlands areas of Papua New Guinea.

Lastly, as areas of higher altitudes like the highlands of Papua New Guinea, will gets more warmer there will be health implications as I read from the article in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper today. Below is the article in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper.

[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper, Dated: 14th April, 2008]

Climate change poses real threat, says WHO
CLIMATE change has the potential to impact on a big scale on health of people, World Health Organisation representative to Papua New Guinea Dr Eigil Sorensen said. Dr Sorensen said many lethal global killers like malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition were sensitive to climatic conditions and together were responsible of three million deaths each year. “WHO calculates that climate change and variability may already be the cause of an increase in the number of deaths ñ now at more than 150,000 annually ñ from malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition and injury from floods, with half of those deaths occurring in Asia and the Pacific,” Dr Sorensen said in his speech delivered during the 12th National Health Expo. He said the health scenario was changing and new challenges such as climate change was emerging which have implications for international public health. “More and more people are exposed to common diseases such as malaria today than before due to climate change,” Dr Sorensen said. Rising temperatures and increased rainfalls would result in mosquitoes being found in abundance in cooler climates, he said. For Papua New Guinea, this could mean that that malaria would be more widespread in the highlands. People currently living in low-risk, or no-risk areas of malaria could in the future be at increased risk of malaria transmission, he said. Dr Sorensen said the evidence for climate change was now clear and convincing. “The Earth’s surface has warmed by more than 0.8 oC over the past century and by approximately 0.6 oC in the past three decades. “This warming has been linked to more extreme weather conditions such as intense floods and droughts, heavier and more frequent storms, and a possible increase in frequency and intensity of the El Nino Southern Oscillation.” Dr Sorenson said these changes were largely caused by human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) that traps heat within the atmosphere. “These CO2 emissions continue to rise, and climate models project the average surface temperature will rise by 1.1 oC to 6.4 oC over the 21st century if nothing is done about it,” he said.

Sea level Rise: A Problem in Papua New Guinea.

2008-04-11T03:57:00.000-07:00

Rising Sea level is a problem faced by Papua New Guinea and many other countries in the world. It is often low lying coastal areas which are prone to the devastating impacts of sea level rise. I have witnessed first hand in Papua New Guinea whilst as an undergraduate student of geography at the University of Papua New Guinea in the late 1980's and as the Physical Geography Lecturer there in the 1990's. I had the opportunity to travel around some of the coastal low lying areas of Papua New Guinea including the Gulf and Western Provinces and it was not surprising to see the sea actively eroding and drowning huge chunks of the coasts. Many villages had to be relocated further back inland as the sea shore migrates inland. The problem is further exacerbated by increased salinity. Fresh water areas and estuaries are being drowned by progressive migration of saline water inland thus affecting local freshwater supplies. I can also perceive that there might be other complicating issues such as land tenure and ownership around coastal communities that could be a cause for concern in the future as portions of land including villages are being drowned by the sea and people are being forced to move elsewhere inland.

Today I read in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper about the sea level rise threat to Manus Island of Papua New Guinea (see map; island description). Certainly, the government of Papua New Guinea has the political and moral responsibility to make sure that long term developmental plans for the country must consider the present as well as the future socio-environmental and economic interest of its people at heart in trying to manage this global phenomenon.

[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper -Dated: Friday 11 April,2008]
Rising sea level threatens Manus
By VERONICA MANUK
A PROPOSAL is currently being worked on to relocate the villagers of Ahus island in Manus because of a rise in sea level.
Provincial administrator Wep Kanawi said negotiations are going on between the Ahus people and Laip, a close by village on the mainland, for the relocation.
Their food gardens and water sources have been affected. There is ongoing erosion making it difficult to build houses, make gardens and fish.
Mr Kanawi said the administration has set up a committee to help with the negotiations.
Similar problems are also being experienced in the other outer islands and coastal villages.
He said originally Manus had 218 islands. Seven have been covered by sea and between 50 and 60 villages affected.
The governor’s office is aware of the problem and said rise in sea level is a global issue and everybody’s concern.
An officer said they are aware of the negotiations between the two groups of people.
However, he did not disclose any immediate plans to relocate the people, but said the government is concern and would address it.
Asked if there was enough land on the mainland for the relocation exercise, he added: “There is enough land to relocate the people.”

Dawn of A New Era for Papua New Guinea and Australia

2008-03-07T02:33:00.000-08:00

Papua New Guinea and Australia have come a long way. There is a lot of history between these two countries and I see this first official visit by the new Australian PM Rudd to Port Moresby this week as a significant boost towards a better working relationship between Port Moresby and Canberra. The front page of the Post Courier Newspaper in Papua New Guinea captivated a light moment between the two Prime Ministers. See below.

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Below is also an article from the Post Courier Newspaper [March 7, 2008]

Somare and Rudd sign greenhouse gas deal

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday signed an agreement with Australian colleague Kevin Rudd to lay the groundwork for the two nations to work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The agreement would enable the creation of a framework aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in PNG from deforestation and forest degradation, improve the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, and promote the protection of Papua New Guinea’s biodiversity.
“If you look at the overall challenge of climate change, the big source of emissions is coal-fired electricity generation around the world; a second big challenge for the overall climate change dynamic is what happens with deforestation and avoided deforestation. How do we best manage that into the future? And it is in this area where countries like Brazil, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have such a significant role to play. That’s why in this Papua New Guinea-Australia forest carbon partnership, we’ve outlined a new framework to work together on this, a regular dialogue on how we can advance this agenda within the international forums of the world,” said Mr Rudd, after signing the PNG-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership Agreement with Sir Michael.
As part of the agreement, PNG and Australia will engage in policy dialogue on climate change issues, mainly focusing on how emissions from deforestation and forest degradation can be reduced using provisions of the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Mr Rudd said a private carbon market scheme could be created as part of the agreement, which would enable PNG to make revenue from such a scheme.
“On the basis of them (PNG) engaging in programs to reduce deforestation,” he added.
A recently released report on climate change, produced by Mr Rudd’s climate change advisor Professor Ross Garnaut, recommended that Australia signed partnership agreements on greenhouse gas emissions with Indonesia and PNG.
Prof Garnaut said such an agreement, if built around a framework utilising large revenue flows for the sale of emissions permits for development purposes (including cash and development opportunities for village communities currently enjoying cash and services from forestry operations), could be advantageous for PNG.

Australian Prime Minister Rudd Official Visit To Papua New Guinea

2008-03-05T17:11:00.000-08:00

The new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's official visit to Papua New Guinea today can be viewed positively as a means to mend strained relationship with Australia. Papua New Guinea's relationship with Canberra over the last few years was not good at all and most of the blame is on the previous Australian government under John Howard and its poor handling of issues affecting Papua New Guinea.

Below is a report [March 6, 2008] from the Papua New Guinea Post Courier

Red carpet rolled out for Aust PM Rudd

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will receive red carpet treatment when he arrives in Port Moresby this morning. Mr Rudd, who has visited the country and walked the Kokoda Track three years ago, is arriving for the first time as the new Australian Prime Minister. The colourful reception includes huge banners with his picture and traditional dancers from the four regions of the country. Mr Rudd arrives at the Jackson’s International Airport on an Australian Defence Force jet accompanied by a 20-member delegation.
The delegation will be welcomed by both leaders including the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, ministers and the singsing groups. A similar reception is planned for Mr Rudd and his delegation when he visits the Highlands town of Goroka tomorrow where he will visit two Australia-funded projects.
He will meet his counterpart, Sir Michael today after making a courtesy call on the Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane at Government House. He will also meet with the Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta and his deputy Bart Philemon. The Prime Minister who is here for a three-day tour, will visit Bomana War Memorial and lay a wreath before returning to the hotel awaiting the dinner at Parliament House hosted by Sir Michael. Mr Rudd is visiting on an invitation by Sir Michael at the Bali climate change forum late last year.
He was then newly appointed Prime Minister after defeating John Howard. His visit is expected to boost bilateral relations between the two countries which had been on a sour note before he became the Prime Minister.

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Below is another report [March 6, 2008] from The National Newspaper

Welcome to PNG, Mr Rudd

By HARLYNE JOKU
AUSTRALIAN prime minister Kevin Rudd arrives today on an official visit, and is expected to discuss a wide range of issues with his PNG counterpart Sir Michael Somare.
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister Sam Abal said told The National yesterday that this is the first such visit in 11 years, and it underlines the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
“The visit is an important statement by the Rudd government in terms of our relationship,” Mr Abal said. “It shows PNG is right back on the radar.”
Mr Rudd will land at the Jackson Airport at 10am on an Australian defence force jet. He will be welcomed by Mr Abal and singsing groups, and inspect a guard of honour before heading to Government House to meet the Governor-General.
A planned protest to be staged by 500 Koiari landowners over the Kokoda Track issue was aborted when the National Security Advisory Committee warned them against it, the president of the Koiari local level government Willie Wavi said yesterday.
Intelligence sources reported a foreigner was involved in instigating the protest, but the situation has been contained.
Mr Wavi said the landowners were to protest over the plan to block a proposed mine and move to list the area on the World Heritage listing.
Mr Rudd may also be presented with a petition from news organisations in PNG and other Pacific Islands regarding the deportation of Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter.
The news organisations are expected to press Mr Rudd to oust members of the Fiji military from Ramsi duties in the Solomon Islands.
As of last night, discussions were still underway among news organisation from the Solomon Islands, Samoa and PNG to finalise the petition.
PINA president and NBC managing director Joseph Ealadona is expected to present the petition or make known the position of the Pacific media if given the chance to speak to Mr Rudd.
Meanwhile, the Australian media reported yesterday that Mr Rudd would canvass support from PNG and the Solomon Islands to impose further sanctions against the Fijian military government including sports boycott to force rugby obsessed military leader Commodore Frank Bainamara to respect human rights and return the country to democratic rule.
After paying a courtesy call on the Sir Paulias Matane, Mr Rudd will meet Sir Michael and his cabinet ministers in a conference and later will meet Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta and his deputy Bart Philemon.
In the afternoon he will visit the Bomana War Cemetery to lay wreaths on the Cross of Sacrifice, and later attend a State dinner in his honour hosted by Sir Michael.
Tomorrow, Mr Rudd will attend a breakfast co-hosted by the Australian-PNG Business Council and the PNG Business Council in association with the Australian Alumni Association, before flying to Goroka to tour the Institute of Medical Research and meet with NGO’s including Save the Children and Appropriate Technology Projects.
Mr Rudd will later be escorted by the CEO of the Coffee Industry Corporation Ricky Mitio through a coffee-tree-to-cup display, and to view a traditional mumu.
He then visits Goroka Base Hospital, the Eastern Highlands provincial administration headquarters and the Daulo district administration before returning to Port Moresby.
He leaves Port Moresby early on Saturday morning for the Solomon Islands.

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Papua New Guinea Minister for Environment and Conservation Benny Allen MP Speaks Against Bribery

2008-02-04T06:15:00.000-08:00

I read this article today [Monday February 4, 2008] from one of Papua New Guinea's Newspaper [The National] and found it quite interesting. Taking a stand against bribery is very courageous and I would like to commend Benny Allen MP, the Minister for Environment and Conservation for his stand against bribery.

Allen speaks against bribery

By ENNIO KUBLE
A GOVERNMENT Minister has revealed that he had been offered three bribes in his first five months in office by three different foreign companies of which he refused.
“If multinational companies can make inroads to the highest office to solicit their interest, others down the rank should be very careful,” Minister for Environment and Conservation Benny Allen said when calling on the newly sworn in members of the Environment Council to be wary of such unscrupulous approaches.
Mr Allen was using his experience to point out to the newly appointed members of the council for the need of transparency and for the members to practice professionalism and maintain a high degree of independence.
He called on the council members to help him build up the department together.
“I would not accept the bribes offered because I did not apply to be a minister of Parliament and a minister subsequently,” Mr Allen said.
“I did not have the qualification, however, the people have the trust in me and put me there. I made the decision for the good of the people, the children of this land and the country.”
When pressed about the bribe, Mr Allen without disclosing much detail, said the three firms were investors who wanted to go into business through shortcuts.
“Sorry, I will not accept what you are offering,” was what he told the investors.
He said he wanted to operate with principle.
“I am appealing to all staff of the department to do the same,” he urged.
The Department of Environment and Conservation issues environmental permit licences to developers engaged in developmental projects on both the land and sea. [The National Newspaper, February 4, 2008]

Liverpool is the European Capital of Culture 2008

2008-01-17T03:34:00.000-08:00

January 11th and 12th weekend was the start of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in Liverpool. There were more than 1,300 performers - from schoolchildren to ex-Beatle Ringo Starr at the launch of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture.

According to the Liverpool City of Culture Company website [www.liverpool08.com] , they will be hosting a year- long programme of more than 350 events. Many of these events will be free and are set to attract an extra two million visitors to the city. Good news for the City of Liverpool in terms of the much needed economic boost!

Papua New Guinea's Help Save Climate Change Talks In Bali,Indonesia

2007-12-27T05:05:00.001-08:00

The stand by Papua New Guinea against the United States of America at the Bali Climate Change Conference this year is something worth mentioning here as the year 2007 draws to its close.

Many people in the USA probably may have never heard of Papua New Guinea. But the point here is that, it is about time smaller countries like Papua New Guinea take a firmer stand against bigger and powerful countries like the USA and not be complacent about many of their unfair policies toward them, be it in trade agreements or in global environmental issues.

Liverpool Wantok: A Papua New Guinean in Liverpool Blog Site

2007-12-13T05:56:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my blog site "Liverpool Wantok". I have lived in Liverpool for over ten years and have seen quite a lot of changes within the city as it prepares itself for next year 2008. The year 2008 is special to Liverpool because Liverpool City will officially become the "European Capital City of Culture". The City in its preparation, has launched their own website www.liverpool08.com.

Whilst there has been quite significant infrastructural changes within the inner city of Liverpool, I am hoping like many other residents of this great city for these changes to become a catalyst for economic regeneration and many more job opportunities for the local population.

My only problem is the flow of traffic into and out of the city that seems to be increasing throughout this year with on going road works. Lets hope for a much improved situation next year!

By the way, if any "Wantok" from Papua New Guinea is passing by Liverpool, you can contact me through my websites www.onetoks.com or www.melinuk.org.uk and drop me an email using one of those email addresses. JBN.