Links
New Media Site
TreeHouse Productions -- http://www.treehouse.com.pg/treehouse__productions.htm
Port Moresby Rotary
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide
who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all
vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160
countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than
30,000 Rotary clubs. The Port Moresby Rotary Club has a website located at
-- http://www.pomrotary.org.pg
PNG Business and Directory
PNG Business Directory -- http://www.pngbd.com
-- This web site is probably the most useful stopping point for anyone interested
in finding out more about PNG. Many businesses use the website on a daily
basis to find out the exchange rate as the rates on the website are updated
by the banks on a regular basis throughout the working day but the website
offers more than that. The best way to find out what it has is to visit the
site.
Disabled Association (F.O.D.A.)
The Friends of the Disabled Association (F.O.D.A.) is an organization that
has been specifically developed to assist the disabled people of Papua New
Guinea. In particular this organization aims at providing a link between the
business community and the many Non-Government Organisations already working
in the field with the aim of providing resources and expertise. The website
for FODA is located at -- http://www.foda.org.pg
Metals Refining Operations
PNG only precious metal processor and refiner has a website located at --
http://www.metalsrefining.com.pg
Misc Web Sites
Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
Remington PNG -- http://www.remington.com.pg
Investment Promotion Authority -- http://www.ipa.gov.pg
Airlines of PNG -- http://www.apng.com
Walindi
If anyone is looking for accommodation in West New Britain not far from Kimbe,
the provincial capital, then try Walindi Plantation Dive Resort. Walindi is
situated just ten kilometres from Kimbe on the road to Talasea. Close to the
Resort is the Walindi Nature Centre sponsored by the owner of the resort.
-- http://www.walindi.com
News Items
Fuel Prices
The price of fuel in PNG has fallen. The Port Moresby prices excluding 10
percent VAT are now
- Petrol - K1.94
- Diesel - K1.59
- Kerosene - K1.31
Mount Hagen Hospital
The chief executive of the Mount Hagen General Hospital has called on Australian
Aid to be given to projects that are outcome driven rather than output driven.
Mount Hagen Show
The Mount Hagen Show will be held from the 15th to the 17th of August 2003.
Air Niugini has scheduled more flights for people travelling to Hagen for
the show.
http://www.geocities.com/tourpng/hagenshow.html
-- Mount Hagen Cultural Show -- This web page provides specific information
about one of Papua New Guinea's greatest source of international and domestic
tourist attraction, the world-famous Mt. Hagen Cultural Show. Held annually
at Kagamuga Showgrounds, opposite the Kagamuga Airport (Mt. Hagen Airport),
and a few minutes drive east of Mt. Hagen City (capital of Western Highlands
Province). Should you require further information, send email to -- skyuimb@hotmail.com
or skyfdn@hotmail.com.
Steamships Reunion
Anyone interested in attending a Steamships Reunion on the 11th,12th &
13th of June 2005, probably on the Gold Coast or Brisbane in Australia, please
contact Maggie Charlton at -- mdcharlton@yahoo.com.au
Juvenile Court
Children in PNG now have their own Juvenile Court. Along with the new court
a Juvenile Mediation program was also launched on the 11th of June 2003. The
mediation program hopes to divert 70 percent of juvenile cases back to the
community for Melanesian based resolutions rather than through the previous
system.
Ghost Hospital
The hospital built by the third party insurance company - Motor Vehicle Insurance
Limited (MVIL) - still sits vacant on a hill close to the Port Moresby Hospital.
The building of this hospital was completed years ago and the building is
gradually rotting away in the tropical climate. Will it ever get used? Will
we ever see patients using it?
Enga
Twenty mobile police squads have been moved into Enga province to help subdue
the tribal fights in Paiam and Porgera. Two people have lost their lives already
in the fights between two tribes.
PNG Gas
PNG Gas has had another knock back. This time it has lost a contract to supply
Canadian aluminium giant Alcan in the Northern Territory of Australia. Industry
analysts now say that there is a possibility of the gas project never getting
off the ground and supplying gas.
World War II Bombs
Police in Madang have become concerned about live bombs left over from the
Second World War. A site that was possibly used as a major ammunition dump
during the war has recently been raided for bombs. It looks as if at least
two bombs have been removed.
West New Britain
The man, who purchased a very expensive VX Land Cruiser vehicle in the middle
of the Mt Pago volcano disaster in West New Britain, has been suspended. William
Padio welcomed the suspension so that he could have his name cleared.
Agricultural Show
The Central Province Agricultural show held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium
in Port Moresby has been declared a success. The theme of this year's show
was "food diversity is food security".
Agriculture
The government hopes to be able to pass several proposals aimed at kick starting
the agricultural sector. Some of the proposals are
- double taxation deduction for all agricultural research;
- reduced corporate tax rate of 10 percent for a minimum of a ten year period
for new agricultural investment;
- duty free imports for all machinery and vehicles used by agricultural
companies;
- a reduction in excise and duty rates for diesel fuel
- and the removal of tax assessed on dividend payments for shareholders
of agricultural companies.
Pacific Gold Studios
Chin H Meen are now the owners of Pacific Gold Studios and their catalogue
of albums recorded since 1983. The owner of Pacific Gold Studios, Greg Seeto,
is leaving the country and settling in Australia. Chin H Meen will also take
over the calculation and payment of royalties for any albums sold.
Ozone Project
PNG has secured more than K2 million to help phase out ozone depleting substances
in the country. The money will be used to help PNG comply with the Montreal
Protocol for phasing out the various substances, mainly used in air conditioning
and refrigeration.
Dengue Fever
There have been cases of Dengue Fever treated in Port Moresby but these have
gone unreported to any Department of Health or the World Health Organisation.
There are no facilities in PNG to test for Dengue Fever and blood samples
have to be flown to Australia for testing.
Chimbu Power
The French Government is funding the supply of electricity into Gumine and
Gembogl electorates of the Chimbu Province. The project should be able to
start immediately due to the funding.
Port Moresby Power
The local Television Station, EMTV, recently suffered a major failure of equipment
due to the inadequate electricity supply. The TV Station went off the air
during the six-o'clock news but managed to get the station running again in
time for the next show.
Kairuku Bridges
The people of the Kairuku / Hiri electorate in Central Province have recently
been able to open two bridges in the electorate. The bridges at Ikeikana 1
and Ikeikana 2 were constructed under the Yumi Yet bridge program. The bridges,
by UK firm Mabey and Johnson, took 25 men less than 20 days to build. Each
bridge has a span of just over 21 metres.
Polling Protest
Villagers from Kakedemayu village in the Mount Bosavi area refused to vote
recently when a polling team showed up to record votes. Only two of the villagers
voted the rest said that they have voted every other time but no development
has been seen in the village from their elected representatives. Mount Bosavi
is in the Nipa / Kutubu electorate. The area once had six primary schools
but now there are only three of these schools operating due to financial problems.
Corruption
The media has declared an ongoing war on corruption in PNG. Several organisations
have advertised contact information so that if you see or hear of corrupt
people or activities you can have a place to report them.
Transparency International (PNG)
PO Box 591, Port Moresby
Phone +675 320 2182 --- Fax +675 320 2189
email -- tipng@daltron.com.pg
web -- http://www.transparencypng.org.pg
Ombudsman Commission of PNG
PO Box 852 Boroko
Ph +675 325 9955 --- Fax +675 320 9220
email -- ombudspng@datec.com.pg
Media Council of PNG
PO Box 344 Boroko
Phone +675 320 1994 --- +675 Fax 320 1956
email -- pngcorruption@hotmail.com
Bumayong
Students were sent home and classes at the Bumayong Secondary School in Lae
suspended after the PNG Waterboard cut the water supply to the school for
non-payment of the water account. The school owes the Waterboard more than
K30,000.
Cashew Nuts
The Rigo area of Central Province is successfully growing cashew plants. The
main product gained from cashew trees is the cashew nut but the cashew apple
is also used and favoured in other countries such as Brazil. In Goa, India
the cashew apple is used to distil a liquor called "feni". Unlike
other tree fruits the cashew nut is external to the fruit.
Mendi MP
The Member of Parliament for Mendi, Michael Nali, has been found guilty of
misconduct in office. He was found guilty of inciting a riot in 1999.
Cocoa
In 2002 East New Britain produced about 80 percent of PNG's cocoa exports
valued at over K200 million.
Angau Hospital
The Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae has received K17,500 worth of medical supplies
from Papindo Trading. The company donated essential items needed by the hospital
such as equipment, funding of a specialist medical care and gifts to patients.
Crocodile Skins
The trade in crocodile skins within PNG is threatened by breaches of CITES
(Convention on the International Trade In Endangered Species). PNG is the
only country in the world that has a special dispensation to trade in crocodile
skins from the wild. PNG also farms crocodiles for skins. Crocodile skin exports
earn an average of K3-5 million every year for the rural area.
St John Ambulance
The Secretary General of the St John Ambulance in PNG has died. Well known
identity, Graham Keake, who always had to struggle with the government to
raise funds for the only public ambulance service in Port Moresby, died shortly
after being admitted to the Port Moresby Hospital on Friday the sixth of June.
Carteret Islands
It has been reported that an elderly lady has passed away on the Carteret
Islands due to starvation experienced by the loss of food gardens due to rising
seas.
PNG Cricket
PNG Cricket has been offered four places at the Queensland Sports Academy
in Brisbane, Australia. Three places will be for junior players and the fourth
for a coach.
Buimo Jail
The prisoners at the Buimo Jail in Lae now have new towels thanks to a gift
of 849 towels by the various Seven-day Adventists Churches in and around Lae.
The donation was organised by the community services department of the church
and involved a total of 18 churches and about 1000 church members. The prisoners
also were provided with a meal by the church.
PNG Prisons
Here is a list of prisons known to be operating in PNG. The list has been
supplied by Uve.
- Bomana in Port Moresby, NCD also for Central
- Buimo in Lae, Morobe Province
- Baisu in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province
- Keravat in Rabaul, East New Britain Province
- Bui-Iebi in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province
- Bihute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province
- Bundaira in Kainantu, Eastern highlands Province
- Boram in Wewak, East Sepik Province,
- Vanimo in Vanimo, West Sandaun province
- Daru in Daru, Western Province
- Ningerum in Kiunga, Western Province,
- Beon in Madang, Madang Province
- Barawagi in Kundiawa, Simbu province
- Giligili in Alotau Milne Bay Province
- Hawa in Tari, Southern Highlands Province
- Wabag in Wabag, Enga Province
- Lakiemata in Kimbe, West New Britain Province
- Kavieng in Kavieng, New Ireland Province
- Manus in Lorengau, Manus Province
Uve recommends contacting the Correctional Services of PNG to verify if there
are any more or whether some of the above have been shut down or reopened
due to health risks etc.
Copyright Laws
The "new" laws on copyright in PNG don't seem to have achieved much.
Businesses are struggling to make the software on their Personal Computers
legal while it would appear that some suppliers are still pirating jingles
for commercials.
Multimedia UPNG
The University of PNG is now able to deliver lectures using state of the art
multi-media equipment. Three lecture theatres, the Main, Arts and Science
theatres, all have digital multimedia equipment to help with the presentation
of lectures to students.
Highlands School
Normally you hear of students being suspended from classes but recently seven
secondary school principals in the Western Highlands were suspended and charged
for not submitting their reviewed budget for this financial year.
Unemployment
It has been reported that there are over 3 million people eligible for work
within PNG and only 270,000 of these have work in the formal sector. The unemployed
rely on subsistence farming and their relatives and "wantoks" or
the "wantok system" which has many good and many bad points. A wantok
is literally a person who speaks the same language as you and with over 800
languages and no unemployment benefits in PNG some people might only have
a handful of wantok's clambering after their hard earned Kina each fortnight
while others have many more than this.
The positive side of the wantok system provides hardship alleviation whilst
the negative side sees it undermine the economic advancement of entire kinship
groups and retards progress towards escaping temporary poverty because it
adversely impacts on a household's income.
Languages of PNG
The National or official languages of PNG are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin and English.
The number of languages listed for Papua New Guinea is 832. Of those, 823
are living languages and nine are considered to be extinct.
For information on the languages a visit to http://www.sultry.arts.usyd.edu.au/ling/research/papuan2.html
will start you off in the right direction. Another interesting article is
located at http://www.krysstal.com/langfams.html.
It deals with language families and mentions the Rotokas language - Rotokas
is spoken in Papua New Guinea on the Island of Bougainville by approximately
4,300 people and it has the fewest sounds of any language, 11 (compared to
the 44 or so of standard English). These 11 are made up of five vowels and
six consonants: A, E, I, O, U, B, G, K, P, R, T. - can you imagine that -
a language with only 11 sounds. Six of those are used in the name of the language.
It has been reported that PNG has one language for every 900 square kilometres
of the country or roughly one language for every 350 square miles for those
readers who don't use the metric system.
PNG Media
If a friend has given or sent you a copy of this newsletter
and you would like to keep receiving free copies then please visit ../news/index.html
for instructions on how to join the list.
Articles for this Newsletter
If you think you have a PNG page worth mentioning then please use the contact form.
To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter
queue please use the contact form.
.gif)
.jpg)
View
PNG Gossip Newsletter Archive