Links
Investment Promotion Authority
The Investment Promotion Authority has a web site located at -- http://www.ipa.gov.pg
-- If you are interested in investing in PNG then visit this link for information.
Port Moresby Drive-In
Long gone but not forgotten the Port Moresby Skyline Drive has a couple of
web sites that still let the memories linger on. Does any reader have any
more info because I am sure the authors of the web sites would appreciate
help to update their pages?
-- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/drivein.html
and -- http://members.optusnet.com.au/~p.berrett/drivein/png.html
Superannuation Funds
The Association of Superannuation Funds PNG (ASFPNG) has a website located
at -- http://www.asfpng.org.pg -- ASFPNG
is an industry body established in 2002 by interested industry participants
with the common goal to protect superannuants retirement savings within a
regulated environment whilst fostering a competitive industry.
Scott's Tree Kangaroo
Information on Scott's Tree Kangaroo -- Dendrolagus Scottae can be found
at -- http://www.animalinfo.org/species/dendscot.htm
The Drum
The famous Post Courier Column "The Drum" has been in the electronic
age for sometime now. For all of those people who are familiar with The Drum
you can now email titbits of gossip to -- thedrum@spp.com.pg
-- or you can still send a facsimile message to +675 320-1781. For those not
familiar with The Drum then I suggest taking a look at the Post Courier website
located at -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg
-- and follow your nose to "The Drum".
Pryde Furniture
Pryde Furniture in Port Moresby has a website located at -- http://www.pryde.com.pg
-- Take a look at the web site and see what the company has to offer.
TV Programming
One of the questions that I get asked frequently is - "what sort of
television do you watch?"
I'll list some of the stations that we are able to receive. Along with our
local TV station EmTV -- http://www.emtv.com.pg
-- we also have access to several satellite broadcasters such as -
Some people have access to other channels and still we can't find anything
decent to watch. For more information please pay a visit to -- http://www.hitron.com.pg
-- who offer microwave and cable redistribution of satellite services.
For all your cable TV needs in the Morobe Province visit the Tolec Electronics
website at -- http://www.tolec.com.pg
News Items
PNG Kina
The Kina has been fairly static against the US Dollar but has fluctuated
a bit against the Aussie Dollar. The Kina was making a slow rise against the
US Dollar until it hit the 30 US cent mark and then it has remained steady.
The central bank currently has record reserves to support the Kina, if required.
PNG Scientists
Two young, female scientists are currently researching pneumonia at the PNG
Institute of Medical Research in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province. The two
girls are also furthering their education. Gimana Poigeno from Central province
is pursuing an honours degree in Microbiology and Jacinta Francis who already
has an honours degree in Science is pursuing her Masters in Science degree.
There is still a need for more scientists to take up studies and research
in PNG
Palm Oil
New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) has reported an 18 percent increase
in crop harvest during the first quarter of this year compared to the corresponding
quarter in 2003. Between January and March NBPOL harvested a record 255,000
tonnes of palm oil fronds. The company has recently gained ISO 14001 certification
for its environmental management systems. The company says this shows a commitment
by the company to sustainable oil palm production.
East New Britain
The World Bank has funded the upgrading of the road between Kokopo High School
and Warangoi Bridge and the construction of a new primary school at Kokopo.
The school project will include the construction of classrooms, teachers'
houses and ablution blocks for the school. The school project has been estimated
to cost K7 million and the road project should cost K8 million. The road project
is an important link to not only the Gazelle area and Kokopo but also parts
of Pomio.
Madang United Church
The Madang United Church has received a donation of an organ from the Minister
for Inter-Government Relations, Sir Peter Barter. Sir Peter said that this
was the third organ that he has donated to a mainline church in the country.
These have been personal donations from Sir Peter and not from the government
coffers and that they replaced organs and pianos that he had donated earlier
but had now worn out.
New Ireland Truce
The two New Ireland politicians have agreed to make peace following concerns
made by the people of Namatanai living in Port Moresby. Ian Ling-Stuckey,
the Governor of New Ireland and Byron Chan the member of parliament for Namatanai,
have both agreed that something needs to be done to help bring development
to the area. Byron is the son of Sir Julius who was defeated by Mr Stuckey
in the elections.
Wewak Court House
The construction of a new courthouse for Wewak in East Sepik Province is
progressing slowly. The groundbreaking ceremony was held last year and once
the preliminary groundwork is finished construction will start in earnest.
This is anticipated to be late May or early June.
Swiss Church
The Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Church (SEBC) has celebrated its fiftieth
anniversary in PNG. The celebrations also coincide with the thirtieth anniversary
of the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC) in PNG.
Lae Cars Thefts
The theft of cars in Lae is on the rise. Police have recommended that motorists
take extra care when driving around Lae especially during the night. The Lae
Chamber of Commerce have also issued a warning for members to review their
security arrangements.
PX Gun Scare Gun
The gun allegedly carried aboard an Air Niugini flight to Singapore by the
Rural Development Bank (RDB) managing director has gone missing. For some
reason the gun was being looked after by the acting MD of the RDB and not
held by police as evidence. The gun was left in a bag in a car outside Chin
H Meen in Tabari place when the car was broken into and the gun stolen. The
case against the RDB MD will go ahead despite an important part of the case
now missing.
Orchid Show
An orchid show has been planned for the 5th and 6th of June. The show will
be held at the Sir Rabbie Namaliu Orchid Gardens located in Parliament House.
The two-day even has already attracted over 200 Japanese tourists who will
be in the country. PNG has 3,000 different species of orchids and it is believed
that similar number have yet to be discovered. Some in areas that researchers
have not yet accessed.
Hiri Moale Festival
The Hiri Moale Festival Chairman in the National Capital District has placed
tender advertisements in the newspaper for the construction of 1 x four hulled
lagatoi and 1 x three hulled lagatoi (trading canoes). The tenders will have
closed by the time this newsletter goes out.
Rabbit Farming
Eighteen villages in the Lumi area of Sandaun Province have been encouraged
to set up rabbit farms as a source of food in an effort to protect the endangered
Tenkile tree kangaroo. Tenkile is the local name for Scott's Tree Kangaroo
-- Dendrolagus Scottae. -- http://www.animalinfo.org/species/dendscot.htm
-- This is an inititiative of the locally based Tenkile Conservation Alliance.
17 of the 18 villages have already finished cages and are ready to receive
the rabbits. The response from the villagers has been excellent. The following
villages are taking part in the exercise -
- Wai'eli,
- Wugube,
- Maiwetem,
- Soulete,
- Waunulu,
- Wilbeite,
- Miwaute,
- Wabute,
- Sarbute,
- Tolgete,
- Wigote,
- Hapseim,
- Yomoum,
- Lilal,
- Mapun and
- Sikel.
Mount Tavurvur
Mt. Tavurvur in East New Britain has gone quiet for nearly three months,
since The 17th of February, and residents are wondering what is going on.
The volcano has been active since destroying Rabaul a decade ago. (September
1994).
Mount Bagana
Lava continues to flow slowly down the south side of Mt. Bagana on the island
of Bougainville. The lava flow is about four kilometres from the nearest hamlet
but still moving. Experts from the Rabaul Vulcanological Observatory have
assessed the area and said that the nature of the lava flow suggested no immediate
and intermediate risks to the surrounding area.
Wau Mining
Two South Korean investors are interested in financing a mine near Wau in
Morobe Province. The two investors were taken on a guided tour of the old
mine site at Nami (Wau). It is reported that they made an assessment of the
area by taking notes and said they would return to have further talks with
landowners.
United Nation's Concert
The Port Moresby International School is once again holding the annual United
Nation's Concert at the school oval on the 22nd of May. Everyone is welcome
to attend. Contact the school for further details.
Bishop David Hand
Bishop David Hand celebrated his 86th birthday on the 12th of May. Bishop
David, a retired Anglican priest who was the country's first Anglican Archbishop,
is considered a pioneer missionary arriving in the country on the 28th of
November 1946 after sailing from Southampton, England on the 31st of September
1946.
Weightlifting
Weightlifter, Dika Toua, has qualified for the 2004 Olympic games by finishing
third at the recent Oceania and South Pacific Weightlifting championships
held in Fiji. She managed a credible third against experienced weightlifters
from Australia and New Zealand.
Trukai Fun Run
The 21st annual fun run to raise funds for the PNG Sports Federation saw
over 18,000 taking part in the event. The money raised from the sale of T-Shirts
is very important especially this year with the Olympics looming closer and
closer.
Swimming Titles
The 5th Oceania Swimming Championships are currently underway in Suva Fiji
(15 - 19th of May). The championships are being held at the venue of the 2003
South Pacific Games. Several swimmers and officials are participating in the
games including Sue (official) and Krystle Babao (participant)
Health Expo
A successful Health Expo was held last weekend at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Hundreds of Port Moresby residents eagerly looked at the 37 different stalls
at the expo. The expo gave the public the opportunity to know what other health
services are available besides the hospital.
Bomana Prison
Prisoners at the Bomana jail just outside Port Moresby now have a new chapel
and they can proudly boast that it is the only chapel in a PNG jail that is
inside the main compound. The chapel was converted from a former barracks
at a cost of about K40,000. The chapel to be used by all churches was funded
by a fund raising exercise that has been in progress since 1987 by the Filipino
Association and Couples for Christ.
Air Fares
Following an increase in the cost of a barrel of oil it has been rumoured
that Air Niugini will follow other world airlines and increase airfares to
allow for the increase in fuel costs.
Air Niugini
Air Niugini has struck back at a tourism "expert" that claimed
that airfares from Australia to PNG were too high to encourage tourism. It
would appear that the "expert" quoted business class airfares something
that Air Niugini claim that the average tourist would not be paying to travel
to PNG. Air Niugini has published a reference showing tourist airfares for
stays less than 30 days from Brisbane and Sydney to a few tourist locations
in PNG highlighting the fact the fares are not that much different to fares
to Fiji a tourist destination that has frequent flights on a daily basis from
overseas ports. Of course airfares are just one of the perceived reasons that
tourism is not at the forefront of helping to recover the PNG economy.
After several years with Air Niugini the Chief Financial Officer of the company,
Steve Wilks, has moved on to become the General Manager of DHL in Bahrain.
Westpac Bank ATM's
After many years lagging behind the other banks in PNG the Westpac Bank has
begun to install Automatic Teller Machines for the benefit of its customers.
The bank has launched two machines at its Port Moresby branch yesterday (12
May). Another four will be installed in Moresby and Lae over the next six
weeks. The ATM's will only process K10 and K50 notes. The machines will be
open from 7am to 7pm seven days a week.
Sandau Family Name
"w.k. sandau" <uadnas@yahoo.com>
has asked the following question -- What can anyone out there tell me about
the Sandau family name?
Deaths
Former Member of Parliament, Neville Bourne died of cancer at the Pacific
International Hospital in Port Moresby on Wednesday (12th May). Mr. Bourne
was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago. Mr. Bourne was the member for
Menyamya in 1982 and held that seat for two terms of parliament. He was also
the Minister for Transport.
The Former New Ireland Governor and top policeman, Paul Tohian, has collapsed
and died suddenly in Kavieng late on the 13th of May.
Minj
After a court decision made the police unhappy in Minj, Western Highlands,
the police led by the station commander attempted to break in to the Public
Solicitors office and a law firm. It is alleged that they described the public
solicitor as useless. The National Court in Mt Hagen granted bail to 19 people
that police arrested during a raid on a village. It has been reported that
members of a rival tribe accompanied the police during the raid. An apology
has been demanded from each member of the police force that took part in the
incident.
Eastern Highlands - Kainantu
The people of Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands are planning a public protest
over the on-going criminal activity in and near the town. The community hopes
to be able to pressure the police into providing an efficient and effective
police presence in the town to deter crime. The protest follows an attack
of seven teachers at Barola Hill that resulted in the suspension of classes
for two days. Police have said that they are severely hampered because thewy
have only one vehicle left running in the area.
MP Funding
During 2000 - 2001 it has been reported that Open Electorate Members of Parliament
missed out on K20 million in funding because they failed to submit project
proposals for the money. Each of the 89 Open Electorates are entitled to K1
million from the District Development Program.
Singing Dogs
The New Guinea Singing Dog (NGSD) was discovered by the outside world in
1957 when the first pair was brought down from the New Guinea Highlands to
the Taronga Zoo. Sydney, Australia. -- http://www.canineworld.com/ngsdcs/
About 100 New Guinea singing dogs exist in captivity but no one knows how
many exist in the wild if any! It seems that only anecdotal evidence is available.
It is possible that some dogs may exist to the west of Wau, Morobe Province
in the mountains. Many people from this area remember seeing and hearing these
dogs in the past. It is believed that singing dogs have been in PNG for over
5000 years. Some are reported as being able to climb trees. There are also
singing dogs kept in South Carolina in the United States of America.
By-Elections
The police have stated that they are prepared for the coming by-elections
to fill vacant seats at Parliament. The Chimbu and Anglimp South Wahgi by-elections
are set for the 22nd of May. Police have also said that they have identified
measures to control of trouble spots during the elections. Over 1,000 police
are now in the Highlands prepared to help election officials run a smooth
election.
Rural Lock Ups
The provincial governments have been asked to help build rural lock ups in
their provinces to help contain the large number of offenders. About 15 -
17,000 detainees are sent to already overcrowded jails every year. Many of
the existing prisons lack adequate security and many of the present buildings
should be condemned.
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