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PNG in the News
Five good examples to follow -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/6469
Army of well-paid advisers keep Pacific poor -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ed946d
Where is my mum? -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100219/news01.htm
Peace talks successful -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/6480
Helping is her choice -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100219/news11.htm
Condoms row rages -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100217/news12.htm
Lawyer and company boss take leave in fear for their lives; Yama denies any threats -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100216/news02.htm
PNG Blogs
Lassul Bay Health Centre, Gazelle District ENBP: Also with this blog id like to promote the Baining people of East New Britain as they were the original inhabitants of the province but today they do not get much needed services and development as that seen in Kokopo and Rabaul -- http://lassul.blogspot.com/2010/02/progress-to-date-as-of-today-saturday.html
We went to Goroka! -- http://www.ntm.org/wp/tim_lanier/2010/02/20/we-went-to-goroka/
The Frey's in PNG: The bougainvillea -- http://pngfrey.blogspot.com/2010/02/bougainvillea.html
Out 'N' About In Ottawa - My Magic Moments By IslandMeri -- http://islandmeri.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/out-n-about-in-ottawa/
PNG Images
Port Moresby -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/4338213894/
Kavieng from the air -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/9742612@N03/1853276754/in/pool-59471711@N00
Mount Hagen Images -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hagen -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics/320580490/ -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlsimages/4046059269/
Misc Links
PNG has poor tourist facilities -- http://faxtravel.com/travel-review/papua-new-guinea-has-poor-tourist-facilities/
Highlander Hotel, Mt Hagen -- http://www.coralseahotels.com.pg/highlander.html
ASOPA (Australian School of Pacific Administration) web site -- http://www.asopa.com.au/
Google Maps image of where Airlines of PNG usually parks its aircraft at Jackson's airport -- http://giaman.com/pg/?a9087a
Kokoda Women on the March -- http://www.kokodawomenonthemarch.com/
RAF in New Britain and PNG, 1942 - 1944 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b635ce
Tree House Village EcoResort -- http://www.treehouse.com.pg -- the world's largest living Tree House.
The website for Ulumani Tree Tops Guest Haus located at Waga Waga in Milne Bay can be found at -- http://www.pngbackpacker.com
PNG Department of Health -- http://www.health.gov.pg
Westpac Bank -- http://www.westpac.com.pg
http://sre.com.pg/sre_aptmt_lease.html
http://www.realestate.com.pg/listings/rent/vacant-land/
http://www.ppfssf.com/contacts.htm
http://aspng.org/firms.htm
News Items
PNG Visas
Visas for travel to PNG can be obtained for citizens of most countries on arrival at Jackson's International Airport for a maximum stay of 60 days in any 12 months; however, it is highly recommended that you obtain a visa prior to arrival. Check as visitors from some countries must get a visa before arrival.
If you are thinking about a visa then don't forget to read the comments from the Australian Govt Smart Traveller web site -- http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Papua_New_Guinea
http://faxtravel.com/travel-review/papua-new-guinea-has-poor-tourist-facilities/
Honey
The Eastern Highlands province (EHP) helps Bulolo in Morobe province with the honey industry. EHP has been the leader in honey production for many years. It is estimated that PNG produces 40 tonnes annually valued at K400,000 and is consumed annually and PNG consumption is estimated at 200 tonnes or K2 million annually which is subsidised by imports from Australia.
-- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100208/news07.htm
Political Stability
Are the days of a Michael Somare led government numbered? Rumours abound that he is offering members of the opposition cabinet positions in an attempt to stay in power if a court case relating to loopholes regarding a vote of no-confidence in the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPAC) is deemed to be correct.
See - Court to decide on reshuffle -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100219/news16.htm
In addition - MPs call on PM to announce his new cabinet -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100219/news17.htm
Lobbying to lure Opposition MPs on -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100217/news07.htm
POM General Hospital
The Port Moresby General Hospital has received 43 hospital beds and 87 mattresses from the Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation (PNGTF). PNGTF is a recently launched organisation committed to providing ministry and medical services to people in remote parts of the earth and sharing hope with those in desperate need. Three of the beds are electrically operated and will help to reduce some of the strain the nurses have in the intensive care unit.
Read more -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/6486
National Forest Authority
According to an audit report by the Auditor General's office over a three year period more than K100 million has disappeared without a trace from the National Forest Authority (NFA). The report, read out by the Public Accounts Committee said the money could not be traced because there were no proper accounts records kept by the National Forest Authority (NFA) because it had "incompetent and bungling" recording systems.
The PAC started its inquiry in September 2008 and it was opened again last year where part of the inquiry was completed but adjourned to obtain a proper and deeper audit report on the management of the landowner royalty trust accounts and the reafforestation levy trust account by NFA.
Solicitor-General Guilty
The Solicitor-General, Neville Devete, has been found guilty of contempt of court by Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika for refusing to sign a certificate of judgment.
Read more -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100218/news09.htm
Goroka
Radio Australia: Pacific Beat reports that Hundreds of police have been called to the University of Goroka campus in PNG's Eastern Highlands to force students to attend class.
Full story -- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201002/s2825102.htm
Highlands Highway 1
Concessional loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) totalling K268.9 million will be used to help rehabilitate road networks around the country. Targeted projects include road maintenance and rehabilitation (World Bank), Highlands's road maintenance and upgrading (ADB), Highlands's region road improvement investment program and other associated projects.
Dregerhafen Secondary School
The Dregerhafen Secondary School in the Finschhafen district of Morobe Province has received K2.3 million from the Prime Minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. Dregerhafen was a high school until in 2006 when it was converted into a secondary school.
New School Desks
Hohola Demonstration School in Sir Mekere Morauta's Moresby Northwest electorate has received 104 school desks valued at K31,000. Sir Mekere said over 5,000 desks will be given to schools at a total cost of more than K1.5 million this year. Other schools that will also be receiving desks are St Paul's Primary, Gerehu Primary, Morata Primary, Boreboa, Carr Memorial Adventist, Sacred Heart Elementary and Primary, Kay Primary, June Valley, Eki Vaki, Waigani and St Michael's Primary, Ted Diro, Ororo, Tokarara, St John's Primary and Red Cross Special Educational School.
Digicel Power Solution
Eltek Valere has announced mobile phone operator Digicel has installed a hybrid solar-diesel DC power system based on the company's Flatpack2 HE Solar Charger to provide a cheaper power solution for its mobile phone network in PNG. Initially Digicel implemented a battery-powered network using diesel generators to charge storage batteries. The generators were inefficient and ran continuously at an efficiency of around 20 percent of load and had to be refuelled monthly using expensive helicopter fuel runs, at a cost of US$6 per kWh. The hybrid-solar solution is expected to about US$1 per kWh.
Eltek Valere is involved in green, high-efficiency power technology -- http://www.eltekvalere.com/
Vision 2050
PNG's Vision 2050 is underpinned by seven strategic focus areas -
* Human capital development, gender, youth and people empowerment
* Wealth creation
* Institutional development and service delivery
* Security and inter-national relations.
* Environmental sustain-ability and climate change
* Spiritual, cultural and community development; and
* Strategic planning, integration and control.
Vision 2050 should map out the future direction of PNG and reflect the aspirations of the people of the country.
http://www.benzinga.com/45597/the-vision-thing-papua-new-guinea%E2%80%99s-government-unveils-the-future
Economist Magazine
The Economist magazine has rated Port Moresby number 137 out of 140 cities around the world. The Economist magazine surveys impressions of expats around the globe and PNG was only in front of Nigeria's Lagos, just ahead of Algerian capital Algiers and Bangladesh's Dhaka and Zimbabwe's Harare.
Hospitals
Hospitals around the country always suffer whether it is due to lack of money, bad management, political interference or other factors.
Daru General Hospital is having its share of problems. It is currently without a board since 2008. A hospital board has been appointed but not officially sworn in. It is also without a morgue to keep dead bodies before burial for the last two years.
A world class hospital has been proposed for outside Port Moresby aimed at lifting the health care in the country. Most of the funding for the hospital will be coming from outside the country, mostly through bilateral agreements and aid which PNG has not been able to put to good use in the past.
Cholera
Cholera has reached Sandaun province. The province's first case was reported over a week ago. The patient, who is an employee of a logging company, is now recovering in hospital. Well before this first case the province had established a provincial task force and Cholera Treatment Unit.
Science Text
A science text book is now available for schools and educationists, and MPs. The book is titled Science in PNG, Pacific, Asia and Caribbean is a text book that is available for grades nine and 10 students. The book has been developed by Michael John Uglo. Mr Uglo is a former science teacher who worked as a science and technology curriculum officer under the former curriculum development division (CDD).
Highlands Highway 2
The Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye yesterday took Australian International aid agency, AusAID to task over the rehabilitation of the Highlands Highway. Mr Polye said relocating the Chimbu section of the Highlands Highway, which is the most troublesome section - to more stable ground was the best option the Government had to take to save costs on road maintenance along that part of the highway.
Full story -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100226/news01.htm
See also Highway closure hits coffee industry -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100226/news02.htm -- and Highway to remain closed -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100225/news02.htm
Coming Events
Women in Mining and Petroleum Conference - 22nd to the 24th March 2010 - to be held at Divine Word University in Madang.
International kickboxing tournament - Kundiawa - 26th - 28th of March. -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20100113/sport06.htm
25th April 2010 - World Malaria Day. Malaria affects 90 per cent of the PNG population.
8th May, PNG Reunion, Gold Coast Australia. -- http://www.pngreunion.com/png-reunion/more-info.php
World liquefied natural gas (LNG) summit - Mid 2010
PNG Census - 11th to the 17th of July
National Mask Festival, Rabaul - 14th - 18th of July
Malagan Show - 14th - 27th of July
Remembrance Day - 23rd July
Independence Day - 16th September
11th Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference - 6th to 8th December, 2010 - Hilton Hotel, Sydney -- http://giaman.com/pg/?aefb78.
Full Pacific Games - New Caledonia 2011
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012
2012 PNG Games -- Kokopo, East New Britain
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
Full Pacific Games - PNG 2015
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- ../misc/ctc.html.
PNG Media Related Sites
The following sources are used to help find items for this newsletter -
Post Courier Newspaper -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg
The National Online Newspaper -- http://www.thenational.com.pg
PNG Sunday Chronicle -- http://www.sunday-chronicle.com
PNG Business Directory -- http://www.pngbd.com
PNG Tok Pisin -- http://www.tokpisin.net
EM TV (Television) -- http://www.emtv.com.pg -- and of course some of the articles come from contributions from readers and other web sites such as -
National Broadcasting Corporation -- http://www.nbc.com.pg/
Wantok Radio -- http://www.wantokradio.net
Tree House Productions -- http://www.treehouse.com.pg/treehouse__productions.htm
Chin H Meen -- http://www.chmsupersound.com
Hitron (Cable TV) -- http://www.hitron.com.pg
Religious Television Association -- http://www.rtapng.com.pg
PNG Media
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Articles for this Newsletter
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