Links
Jane's Oceania Home Page Newsletter -- http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/index.htm
http://svc015.wic118dp.server-web.com/www/html/1509-home-page.html
-- The Law and Justice Sector website has been developed to provide easy access
to information and services provided by the agencies and partners within the
sector. The sector strategy focuses on the implementation of positive change
associated with the many aspects of law and justice within PNG. A shortcut
to the site can be found at -- http://www.lawandjustice.gov.pg
http://www.justice.gov.pg -- The Department
of Justice and Attorney General delivers a diverse range of services that
contribute to a just, safe and secure social environment for all people living
and working in Papua New Guinea.
http://www.datec.net.pg/~phowley/
-- Restorative Justice - Papua New Guinea Style web site
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/misc/b3recs1.pdf
-- Australian Report on PNG Aid (Post Courier)
National Disaster Centre
Do not forget to visit the fairly new web site for the National Disaster
Centre that has on recently come on line. It can be found at -- http://www.pngndc.gov.pg
-- The site is worth taking a look.
PNG Institute of Directors
The PNG Institute of Directors has revamped its website with the help of
an AESOP Volunteer, Peter Griffin. It is an excellent introduction to PNG
company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- http://www.pngid.org.pg
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website is located at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
South Pacific Motor Sports Club
The South Pacific Motor Sports Club web site is located at -- http://www.spmsc.org.pg
-- For information about the car club, located along Waigani Drive in Port
Moresby; this is the site to visit.
The Free Dictionary
The Free Dictionary has a link about PNG located at -- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Papua%20New%20Guinea
News Items
Police Review
A review of the Royal PNG Police Force has stated that discipline in the
force is near a total collapse. The report states that there is widespread
misuse and abuse of police power throughout the country. The report has listed
many examples, to many to mention all of them here but some are --
Excessive and unprovoked violence when arresting suspect.
Disregard of the law by, for example, conducting raids and seizing property
without a search warrant
Extortion and theft from motorists by way of illegal "on-the-spot"
fines.
Destruction and theft of police property
Bailing of prisoners without issuing a bail receipt
Drunken behaviour, particularly on afternoon and night shifts etc
I am not sure how much the report cost but the average man on the street could
have told the investigators the same thing in a matter of minutes without
having to go to the expense of a formal report.
Undisciplined Police Force
Deputy Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, has been charged with investigating
the alleged assault of an Asian Businessman and his son as reported in a previous
edition of the PNG Gossip. -- ../news/g041126.html#upf
-- Mr. Baki is now probing the allegations that six members of the Southern
Command police mobile squad carried out the assault. It has also been alleged
that one of the policemen fire 4 rounds from a rifle into the ground at the
feet of the businessman.
Defenceless Post
The base used by PNG soldiers in Vanimo and built by the Australians in 1952
is so poorly equipped that the PNG Defence Force Soldiers can respond sufficiently
to any major incidents or emergencies along the PNG - Indonesia border. According
to Captain Malom Lahep the soldiers do not even have basic gear such as uniforms,
footwear, ammunition, rations and even allowances. The soldiers rely on help
from local villages.
2005 Budget
The 2005 Budget has been passed on voices by Parliament. The Opposition may
dispute the procedure, used to pass the budget, in the Courts. The Opposition
claims that the Organic Law clearly stated that the Budget must be voted by
party resolutions. The Opposition appeared to be in some sort of disarray
when a few members of the opposition voted with the government to pass the
Budget.
Air Niugini
By the time this newsletter is read Air Niugini will have taken delivery
of a loan Fokker F100 aircraft. This will be the second Fokker F100 for the
company. Its own second plane has been delayed so it has had to hire another
aircraft from Alliance Airlines in Australia. -- http://www.allianceairlines.com.au.
-- The aircraft is believed to be VH-FWH that has already seen duty in PNG
painted in Alliance colours but this time it will be seen flying from Lae
to Port Moresby and Cairns and return in Air Niugini livery. The existing
Air Niugini aircraft, P2-ANA, will be flying to Rabaul, Hoskins and Mt Hagen
from Port Moresby with the understanding that it can be pushed into service
to do the Cairns flight if the loan plane breaks down. Once Air Niugini receives
its second F100 aircraft it will be registered as P2-ANB.
Transparency International
Transparency International is concerned about the methods used to dismiss
and often reinstate senior public servants. In recent times there has been
many cases of senior public servants being dismissed for various reasons and
then having to be reinstated after a court case has found no reason for dismissal.
Transparency International is aware of management problems within the public
service and the need to improve the public service image.
PNG Awards
PNG is introducing its own honours system to replace the Imperial (British)
Honours System that has been in use in the country since Independence in 1975.
The awards will be known as the Order of Logohu and will be modelled on the
British Imperial system. "Logohu" is a Motuan word
for the national symbol of PNG - the Bird of Paradise. Cabinet has now approved
the new awards and honours system and the first awards will coincide with
the country's 30th Independence anniversary in September 2005.
Counterfeit Goods
People residing in PNG have been warned against buying pirated or counterfeit
goods entering the country from Asia. People are warned to be careful when
buying goods such as Adidas or Puma shoes, Rolex or Seiko watches and Levis
jeans sold in shops throughout the country. These goods are sometimes called
"copy" products.
World AIDS Day
Some facts put forward about HIV/AIDS in PNG.
PNG has the highest reported rate of HIV infection in the Oceania Region.
There have been 8262 confirmed HIV cases in PNG
It is estimated that there could be as many as 50,000 people living with
HIV in PNG.
If no effective action is taking now there will be 1.5 million HIV cases
in 10 years time.
One of three people living with HIV in PNG is between the age of 15 and 30
years old.
90 percent of married women, who have HIV, have been infected by their husbands.
The main form of HIV transmission in PNG is through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Manam Island
Lutheran shipping has helped to evacuate many people from volcano-devastated
Manam Island to the PNG mainland. Rescue officials hope to be able to evacuate
all the 9600 people living on the island. The eruption has covered all food
crops and water with volcanic ash, lava and stones. Manam Island is only 10km
wide and 13km long with villages scattered along the edges of the central
volcano. The volcano is considered to be one of the world's most active volcanoes
erupting at least 30 times since 1616
Kokopo
Villagers in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, have been urged to grow fast
growing vegetables in their own back yards as cash crops to earn an income.
Village farmers are urged to make greater use of available soil to increase
vegetable harvests and also their incomes.
School Enrolments
The education department hopes to be able to increase the numbers of girls
enrolled at schools by next year. The department and UNICEF are working together
through the Accelerating Girls Education program to increase the opportunity
for both girls and boys to go to school and to stay at school.
Engan Chefs
Two chefs from Enga are being given the opportunity to undergo a six-week
training course in Australia. The two chefs will be based at the Holiday Inn
in Darwin, Australia to experience the various culture and cuisine offered
overseas.
Port Moresby Detainees
People detained at Port Moresby Jail will now have refurbished facilities
thanks to the efforts of AusAID and K1.3 million. AusAID has funded the renovation
of seven dormitories, four detention cells, two toilets and a new mess. It
is hoped that this will secure humane conditions for the detainees. The original
facilities were built in the 1960's and have not had any maintenance work
for the last 40 years.
Port Moresby Physiotherapy
The physiotherapy ward at the Port Moresby Hospital has been renovated and
reopened to patients. The Target Communities Development funded the renovations.
Telikom PNG
The much talked about sale of Telikom to EcoNet has had a spanner thrown
in the works by Arthur Somare the Governor for East Sepik. Arthur Somare has
led a vote to stop the Econet deal in Parliament. 55 Members of Parliament
voted for the block and only 19 voted against it. If the move had failed Mr
Somare was prepared to take the matter to court because the Independent Public
Business Corporation (IPBC) failed to follow sections of the IPBC Act that
stipulated that the IPBC must have the written consent of the National Executive
Council before disposing of any state owned entity.
Lobster Ban
A ban on the collection of lobsters from the Torres Strait has been implemented
and will apply from the 30th of November right through to the 31st of March
next year in a bid to allow the regeneration of tropical rock lobsters. The
ban also extends to prawns as well. The lobster and prawn industry is estimated
to be worth as much as K30 million annually.
Leadership Tribunal
A Leadership Tribunal has recommended that Usini-Bundi politician Peter Yama
be dismissed from office. The tribunal is to write to the Governor General
to certify the dismissal. Mr Yama was found guilty of three out of 34 charges
on the 10th of November involving more than K22 million.
Languages of PNG
PNG has three national or official languages -- they are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
and English. Overall in the whole of PNG the number of languages listed equals
832. Of those, 823 are living languages and nine are considered to have become
extinct in the last fifty years as some groups are absorbed into others and
more influence is exerted by tok pisin speakers to make it a truly national
language for the country.
Grade 10 Exams
The students that have just completed Grade Ten and those that have been
lucky enough to receive a certificate for successfully completing the examinations
will be the last ones to do so. In the future there will be no certificate
until a student has completed Grade Twelve. Next year those who have Grade
Ten certificates will not be able to enter tertiary institutions as the entrance
requirement has now been raised to Grade Twelve level.
Mt Hagen Hospital
The Mt Hagen General Hospital has officially opened a four bedroom doctors
on call facility located within the wards. The hospital has implemented this
to hopefully save more lives because by having doctors close by. Many of the
doctors live a long way away from the hospital and find it difficult to get
to the hospital in times of emergency.
Aussie Cops
The first of the police from Australia are now out on the streets of Port
Moresby helping the local police patrol over the hectic Christmas period.
Crowds of people turned up to witness a formal parade before the start of
the patrols. The police have been patrolling in groups of four consisting
of two Aussies and two PNG police. One of the first areas to see the combined
patrols has been the Gordon's market area, a known haven for pickpockets and
petty criminals.
Road Safety Campaign
Careless motorists have been warned by the National Road Safety council to
be on their best behaviour over the coming festive season. The Safety council's
road safety campaign has begun and will go through to the 2nd of January next
year. It is expected that by the time you read this newsletter policemen,
from Australia, under the Enhanced Cooperation Programme will be assisting
local police at roadblocks around the town of Port Moresby. That will make
interesting viewing. Will the ECP Police be serious about their job or just
out to collect a bit of extra Christmas revenue for the government?
Maritime Agreement
The K14.22 million maritime aid agreement has been signed by the Governor
General, Sir Paulias Matane. The first phase will include four major construction
sites. The money will be used to restore existing navigation aids, establish
new ones, open new channels and establish a national hydrographical service
and an autonomous maritime safety entity.
St John Ambulance
Haven't heard from this organisation for a while. It usually runs out of
money on various occasions throughout the year and the ambulance service grinds
to a halt. Is this just the calm before the storm or is everything running
okay? A recent report says that the service is now back from the brink or
so says Chief Commissioner Doug Kelson. The service caters for over 300,000
people in the National Capital. Two new ambulances are being set up to the
Queensland, Australia, Ambulance Service (QAS) standard. The two vehicles
were donated by the QAS, the Rotary Clubs of Port Moresby and Boroko and the
PNG Chamber of Commerce.
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website can be found at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
-- Rotary Clubs PNG -- http://www.rotary.org.pg
-- and -- http://www.pomrotary.org.pg/
-- Port Moresby Rotary Web Site.
Brian Bell Plaza
The Brian Bell Plaza at Boroko will commence staying open late on Thursday
nights,. The shop will be stay open until 8pm every Thursday leading up to
Christmas.
PNG Media
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