Links
Air Niugini
How does Air Niugini rate? -- http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/PX.htm
Air Niugini web site -- http://www.airniugini.com.pg/main.htm
International Training Institute
The PNG International Training Institute has a web site located at -- http://www.iti.ac.pg
-- I found this web site difficult because I do not run my Internet browser
as a full screen. This web site does not really allow you to resize your screen
without losing information.
ITI provide local courses in Business and Computing at Certificate and Diploma
level. They also provide international courses for such organisations such
as University of Southern Queensland and British Computer Society.
Education Web Sites
Computer Training -- http://www.workersmutual.com.pg
International Business Institute -- http://www.ibs.com.pg
International Education Agency -- http://www.iea.ac.pg
Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
PNG International Training Institute -- http://www.iti.com.pg
PNG Maritime College -- http://www.pngmc.ac.pg
PNG University of Technology -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg
University of Goroka -- http://www.uog.ac.pg
University of PNG -- http://www.upng.ac.pg
Real Estate Agents
Arthur Strachan (Lae) -- http://www.arthurstrachan.com.pg
Ashton Brunswick -- mailto:ashtonsbruns@daltron.com.pg
Century 21 -- http://www.century21.com.pg
and http://www.siule.com.pg
City Homes Real Estate -- http://www.cityhomes.com.pg
Kohoy Real Estate -- http://kohoyrealestates.tripod.com
L.J Hooker -- http://www.ljhooker.com
Parklane Real Estate -- http://www.parklane.com.pg
Raine and Horne -- ? Does anyone know an address for Raine and Horne?
Ray White Real Estate -- mailto:monian@online.net.pg
Strickland RE -- http://www.sre.com.pg
The Professionals -- http://www.theprofessionals.com.pg
Real Estate Agents Association
The PNG Real Estate Agents Association, a non-profit making organisation
operation under the laws of Papua New Guinea has a site located at -- http://www.reaa.org.pg/news.htm
National Agricultural Research Institute
National Agricultural Research Institute is a publicly-funded statutory research
organization, established by the National Agricultural Research Institute
Act 1996 of the Independent State of PNG, for conducting applied and development-oriented
research on food crops, alternative food and cash crops, livestock and resource
management issues.
The major targets are the smallholder, semi-commercial and semi-subsistence
farmers in the rural areas of the country. It has a web site located at --
http://www.nari.org.pg
PNG Institute of Medical Research
The PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNG IMR) was established in 1968 as
a Statutory Body of the Government of PNG, responsible to the Minister for
Health. The activities of the Institute have been directed towards the primary
goal of conducting research into the health problems of the people of Papua
New Guinea. The IMR web site can be found at -- http://www.pngimr.org.pg
Moresby Arts Theatre
Agamemnon opens at the Moresby Arts Centre on the 21st of April, 2004 --
A legend emerged from the fall of the fabled city of TROY. This movie and
play tell of what then happened to the great King who lead the Greek armies
to that doomed city, and how he - in turn - was doomed. Doomed by the gods
and by his own words and deeds. -- http://www.agamemnon.com.pg
News Items
PNG Bonds
The decision to look for money overseas to fund the government has now turned
around and the government is looking locally for money. The government had
planned to sell bonds internationally to raise the money but it is believed
that this is one of the attempts to keep the coalition together. The local
measures could include selling inscribed stock.
Marriage Knock Back
Several weeks ago the local newspapers reported that a young woman was beheaded
in the Southern Highlands. The reason behind this was that she refused an
offer of marriage made by her deceased sister's husband. Her sister had died
a year ago. It would appear that some areas of PNG have a long way to go before
they can fully join modern society with a different set of values placed on
human life.
Declining Values
The Chief Justice, Sir Mari Kapi, has said that there has been a decline
ion moral values in PNG since the country gained independence from Australia
in 19975. He said this to Christian Students at the graduation of the Tertiary
Students Christian Fellowship in Port Moresby recently.
Eastern Highlands Province
A fight over a coffee mill on Good Friday has led to the death of seven people
in the Eastern Highlands. One of the dead was a two-year old boy. Two clans
clashed over the ownership of the coffee mill. Police are having difficulties
identifying the people responsible as it appears that the whole of the two
clans were involved.
UPNG
The University of PNG (UPNG) intends to have all its academic programs reviewed
externally as part of its quality assurance program aimed at achieving quality
graduate output. A two-man team has recently completed a review of the Problem
Based Learning curriculum being taught at the School of Medicine and Health
Sciences since 2000. The curriculum has received a great deal of flack mainly
from, it would seem, people unable to accept change from the previous course.
University of Goroka
Goroka Business College and Highlands Regional College of Nursing are set
to become affiliates of the University of Goroka (UOG). A Memorandum of Understanding
has been signed that paves the way to strengthen and enhance the existing
programs in the institutions to work in partnership with the University.
Forestry Hold Up
Forestry workers in Wau / Bulolo area of Morobe Province were recently held
up at gunpoint and had their vehicle stolen. Police have recovered the vehicle
but have been unable to apprehend the criminals responsible.
Teak Exports
The National Forest Service has been accused of allowing the clear felling
of teak from plantations it controls and also to have approved the export
of the unprocessed logs. There has been a ban for over 13 year on the exporting
of teak from PNG. It is believed that the illegal teak exports worth millions
of Kina have been exported from Rabaul, East New Britain and Port Moresby.
Jeepneys
If things go to plan PNG could be manufacturing jeepneys suitable for PNG
conditions in three years time. It is anticipate that a trial of jeepneys,
imported from overseas, will start in May this year. A company will be selling
jeepneys in PNG until manufacturing can start in the country. Any Jeepneys
imported into the company will be based on the bodies of vehicles already
on sale in the country so parts availability should not be a problem. Ha!
even normal car users have problems getting parts for their cars.
National Fisheries Authority
It has been reported that the Asian Development Bank has alleged that the
issuing of fisheries licences outside the proper procedures has led to investors
putting projects on hold. The ADB is concerned that if this is allowed to
continue PNG risked losing thousands of jobs associated with future proposed
investment.
Illegal Entry
Police who recently raided a brothel in Port Moresby may have entered the
premises without a search warrant in breach of section 44 and 49 of the PNG
Constitution and also section 6 of the Search Act. The arrested "prostitutes"
were made to walk to the Boroko police station chewing and blowing on condoms
found in their possession during the raid.
Police have withdrawn the case against the alleged prostitutes to allow further
investigations to take place.
PNGDF Water
Soldiers at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby have recently had to go hunting
for water. Water at the barracks has been shut off because the Defence Force
owes K500,000 to the water company (Eda Ranu). The Finance Department is responsible
for the payment of the bill and the Defence Force is trying to speed up the
payment process. Water has now been restored to the barracks.
Bogia - Madang Province
Policemen in Bogia, Madang Province are under investigation for destroying
food gardens and cash crops owned by a Madang village that they raided recently.
Police are carrying out an internal investigation into the matter.
Nadzab Airport
Vendors at Nadzab airport just out of Lae, Morobe Province have alleged that
police were involved in the theft of K400 from them. The vendors, held up
at gunpoint, recognised a senior policeman sitting inside the vehicle used
to carry the robbers.
Horse Meat
The newly elected president of the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty
to Animals in PNG has claimed that a police probe into the illegal slaughter
of over 50 horses was too brief. It has been alleged that the horses, valued
at more than K1 million, were slaughtered by criminals and sold to fast food
outlets and restaurants in the National Capital District.
New Ireland Justice
A thief in New Ireland Province has learnt the hard way that justice is not
always dispensed through the courts. Angry bystanders recently chased and
chopped off the leg of a criminal suspected of being part of a gang involved
in the robbery and fatal shooting of a shop manager in the province.
1361 Weapons
The United Nations Observer Mission on Bougainville has reported that a total
of 1352 weapons have been destroyed so far in the Weapons Disposal Program.
A further 19 weapons have been destroyed in the Selu-Suir area of North Bougainville
bringing the total to 1361.
Road Safety
On World Health Day it was revealed that PNG is one of the top three countries
in the developing world with the highest rate of road accidents each year.
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) appears to be ineffective (just like
every other govt - semi-govt organisation with not enough funding) in attempting
to reduce the number of accidents and roads are still being built with major
safety defects. Road accidents are costing the country anywhere between K150
million (1997) when the NRSC was established to almost K200 million in 1999
and 2002. The NRSC director said that road accidents had been reduced by 25
percent in 2002 but did not place a monetary figure on 2002 figures.
Angau Hospital
The sterilising unit at Angau Memorial Hospital in Morobe Province is out
of operation and the hospital is having to get items for emergencies sterilised
in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province and air freighted down to Lae.
Papindo Trading in Lae has donated K40,000 worth of medical supplies to the
hospital as an Easter gift. The budget for the hospital has been drastically
cut.
Chromolaena Weed
PNG may have the key to controlling Chromolaena weed in Australia. Australian
entomologists are looking towards a fly from PNG called Cecidochares connexa
that has already made inroads into controlling the weed commonly called Siam
weed in PNG. -- http://www.nari.org.pg/research/wlmp/weeds.htm
-- It is also known as trifid weed and paraffin weed. Chromolaena is listed
in the top 10 of the world's most destructive weeds. It forms dense thickets
that affect the growth of native and agricultural plants. -- http://www.cabi-bioscience.ch/wwwgisp/gtc4cs5.htm
-- and -- http://www.cpitt.uq.edu.au/chromolaena/what.html
Coffee Season
It is anticipated that the upcoming coffee season will see a higher value
for the Kina against other currencies. The season is expected to commence
later this month. The official rate of the Kina against the US Dollar has
remained fairly stable in recent months although due to external market pressure
the Kina has fluctuated against the Aussie dollar.
PNG Swimming
Ryan Pini, swimming for PNG, has won silver at the recent Telstra Australian
Swimming Championships. Ryan came second in the 50-metre backstroke event
coming second to Matt Welsh. Non-Australian swimmers were only allowed to
compete in finals of non-Olympic events. The 50-metre backstroke is a World
Championship event but is not contested at the Olympics.
National ID Card
Government authorities have shunned a National Identity Card System. The
system has been the brainchild of Quest Investigation International Limited.
The ID system would record the name, personal identification number, address,
date of birth, blood group, left thumb print, signature and a colour photograph
of the person identified. Only PNG people over the age of eighteen would be
required to submit data. It is hoped that a system such as this would eliminate
double voting and other fraud at national elections in the future.
South Pacific Exports
Don't forget if you need that hard to get part for your electrical / communications
gear or even a special tool send email to Peter Goleby at South Pacific Exports
on -- sp.exports@bigpond.com --
he might just be able to help you out or at least point you in the right direction.
Peter claims he will attempt to get anything legal for you so long as he can
add a small amount to cover his own costs.
Mt Hagen
The councillors in Mt Hagen Central have guaranteed the safety of a doctor
who recently fled Mount Hagen due to threats for his safety. Mount Hagen has
been the centre of horrific crime recently with the death of an Australian
pilot in the city and a woman from the North Solomon's at Kagamuga airport.
The doctor was the third doctor to leave Mt Hagen Hospital after receiving
threats to his life.
Kagamuga Airport
Kagamuga Airport at Mount Hagen has run out of aviation fuel and airline
operators have been advised to get their fuel from Port Moresby, Lae or Madang.
According to Shell PNG, the only supplier of aviation fuel in Mt Hagen, the
company was unable to get supplies to Mt Hagen due to the poor condition of
the Highlands Highway.
Human Rights
Carol Kidu has said that there is an urgent need for PNG to establish a Human
Rights body in the country. She said the body should look at equal opportunities
regardless of gender. She said this in response to the way 76 sex-workers
were treated in a recent raid on a brothel in Port Moresby. She said that
prostitution will not go away because of the increased poverty in the country.
It has been reported in the local press that the women were treated differently
to the men and many of the male clients were allowed to go home.
No Confidence Vote
With the recall of parliament on the 27th of April to decide who will become
Governor General the race for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister,
Sir Michael Somare, appears to be hotting up. At the moment the numbers could
go either way especially since eight seats are vacant for one reason or another.
Only time will tell whether Sir Michael survives the vote although the key
coalition partners in the government have pledged their support for Sir Michael.
Madang Power
Power to Madang town should be restored after two weeks without electricity.
PNG Power said the problem was caused by heavy flooding in the Ramu valley
causing two power pylons on the Yonki Dam to Madang power transmission line
to collapse. Earlier attempts to restore power failed due to other equipment
problems. Most stores in Madang have run out of candles and kerosene.
NAQIA
Three rifles have been stolen from the NAQIA (National Agricultural Quarantine
and Inspection Authority office in Lae. Gunmen overpowered the security guards
before stealing a 308 Winchester rifle, a .22 Winchester long rifle and a
30-30 Winchester. It is believed that certain parts f the rifles had been
removed and stored at a different location for safety reasons. Without the
replacement of these parts the rifles would not be able to be used.
Explosive Find
A man has been detained in Manus for possessing explosive. It is alleged
that was carrying 200 "plain" explosives in a briefcase when he
arrived by plane from Kavieng. he has been charged under the Civil Aviation
Act with carrying live ammunition on an aircraft.
PNG Media
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