Isssue #24 | November - December
Dive Shop attracts record Novice Divers Ship Builder
Madang’s only PADI-certified Dive shop, the Niugini Dive Adventures (NDA), has recently hit a new record with a total of more than 40 students acquiring their Open Water Dive Certification this year. NDA’s Chief Dive Instructor, Nacanieli (Nathan) Yavala, said that he was pleased that more local Papua New Guineans are showing interest in scuba diving. “Most of the students that came to Madang to complete their Open Water Dive Course (OWC) were local Papua New Guineans and this shows a growing interest in Diving.” Despite the pandemic, NDA, through its parent company (MTS), have successfully drawn the attention of many local diving enthusiasts. Nathan also said that its most influential marketing strategy was ‘the word of mouth.’ “Diving is unique in its own way, you can try to show photos and videos, but this leisure activity needs the individual to experience this for themselves.” “Most of our past students, who had successfully completed their Dive Course with us have gone on to spreading the word and their interests with their friends and families, this has attracted a wide number of Papua New Guineans to try out diving.” Former Miss NDA, Micahleen Mckenia had also completed her OWC and has described her experience as a life-changing moment. “Our entire time is spent on land, to scuba dive and to go into the depths does evoke a feeling of
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announces progress on Island Ferry
Students undertaking their Open Water Dive Course this year with NDA. NDA’s Dive Insturctor, Nathan is pictured far right (top) and bottom right picture, helping a students prepare for their dive.
adventure and exploration – self exploration too.” Micahleen, during her reign in 2020 as the Miss NDA, she was a proud advocate for sea conservation and the protection of marine wildlife. “I continue to write and post on the social media, many different things that we as individuals can do to protect our ocean,” said Micahleen. “Experiencing the underwater world
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with NDA is something that is dear to me and it must be experienced by someone, you just simply can’t describe the feeling to someone else, they’d have to experience it for themselves.” NDA’s 4-day course now has packages with accommodation and breakfast to allow for any local Papua New Guinean to experience their first underwater dive experience.
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Madang’s ‘soon to be’ express island-hopping-ferry undergoes its long-awaited coat of paint and final welding and piping work in the ship’s interior. Reports from SeaCat Ships in Thailand had said that the work on the ships interior and exterior frame are progressing well. “We are excited to announce the awarding of our new 22m high speed ferry design and construction project, currently under construction at our SeaCat Ships located at Ocean Marina Yacht Club Pattaya, Thailand.” The ship will be due in January 2022, “this is all due to the current state of the country’s pandemic dilemma,” said Sir Peter Barter, Melanesian Tourist Services’ (MTS) Managing Director. MTS’ Tours & Operations Director, Wesley Hantan also said that the delay in the ship’s arrival was due to the lockdowns in Thailand. “Getting the ship into PNG’s water can be done, but the lag was
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MTS advocates for COVID vaccines
Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) has acquired a milestone of 100%-fully-vaccinated-staff rate and are continuing their COVID vaccination awareness campaign, said Sir Peter Barter, the company’s Managing Director and the Chairman for the Melanesian Foundation. “We already have 100% of our staff who have all been fully vaccinated against the virus, it is the company’s Corporate & Social Responsibility to continue our work in advocating for more Papua New Guineans to be vaccinated.” MTS through the Melanesian Foundation had created a 1st Edition COVID QnA Booklet as well as a 2nd Edition of the booklet. Sir Peter said that the company has already planned ahead to create the 3rd Edition, with the author, Prof Glen Mola and several other medical professionals all willing to assist in the publication of the booklet. “In a country with a low rate of vaccination, booklets such as the COVID QnA can help to dispel misleading information, especially when it is translated to Motu and Tok Pisin.” The first and second edition as well as COVID posters have all been distributed throughout the country, “with great feedback and also allowing people to make informed decisions towards their own future and the future of the entire nation,” said Sir Peter.
Madang’s runway uprades complete
Madang Airport has finally reopened after work on its runway was carried out, the delay has caused much instability for many businesses in Madang, but the reopening does come as a ray of sunshine to many, said Sir Peter Barter, MTS’ Managing Director, the former Governor of Madang and a senior businessman in the province. “HBS has done an exceptionally great job in sealing and upgrading the Madang Airport’s runway, which has caused a great deal of trouble for many businesses in Madang due to the runway closure, but it is a hope for this growing town.” The full runway length of 1,570m and the addition of 2 turning nodes on both ends of the runway had brought the maximum take of distance for aircrafts to 1,690m, “we will resume Jet Ops on Tuesday the 16th of November,” said a spokesperson for Air Niugini. An inspection of the PAPI lights was done by CASA officers in early November, which rendered the runway in good condition to be reopened for air services. “It is a shame that the length of 2,000m plus cannot be attained, we have only a very few metres more to extend the runway so that Boeing 737 aircrafts can finally come into Madang,” said Sir Peter.
What does being vaccinated actually mean? An experts advice on the ‘real’ meaning behind getting a COVID Vaccination
Being vaccinated against the COVID virus is a large step for many, as people (mainly Papua New Guineans) face negative criticism and for some even being shamed, “shamed for taking a step towards protecting my job and the well being of my family,” said David, a security guard for the Madang Resort who was a sceptic until he took the vaccine earlier this year. Whilst the resort may have had its vaccination success, many other organizations have also emphasized for their staff to get vaccinated, “in some cases, we were going to send people home without jobs,” said Sir Peter Barter, the Managing Director for MTS and the Madang Resort. Being vaccination has its advantages, the most basic aspect of getting the vaccine means protecting your body against the virus, but does it protect you well enough? Experts in the medical field have now clarified this confusion of ‘not needing to wear a mask after being vaccinated.’ Sinopharm and the AstraZeneca were preferably the most favourable vaccines by Papua www.facebook.com/salesmts
New Guineans, as it was administered to many Papua New Guineans earlier this year. However, the rate at which these vaccines work in the human body differentiates significantly in comparison to the current Johnson & Johnson vaccine. “One of the main public perception problems is (at the moment), if you have had one shot you are vaccinated, but you’re not yet fully protected,” said Prof. Glen Mola, a Senior Consultant Specialist at the Port Moresby General Hospital. “AZ and Sinopharm, you are not protected from your jabs until at least 2 weeks after the second jab is administered, and with the Johnson vaccine you are not protected until 2 months after the shot.” The Melanesian Foundation had created badges to promote vaccination, “this doesn’t mean that we are giving out badges so people can show it off as a substitute for safe COVID protocols – we must all still wear our masks, sanitize our hands and practice social distancing,” said Sir Peter, a Chairman of the Melanesian Foundation. “Even after getting your second shot, this doesn’t mean that you are fully protected from the virus, it is not a gate that stops the virus from getting into your nose and mouth and neither does it stop you from getting a mild infection from COVID,” said Prof Mola. “You are LESS likely to transmit the virus to others (than if you are unvaccinated) because your viral load will be much lower than an unvaccinated person who has a mild infection.” www.instagram.com/mts_png
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The Magical Beetle Headdress Pageant King and Queen Worn by men from Simbai (the advocating for vaccination Kalam group of people), a remote and pristine mountainous, rugged land in the Middle Ramu Local Level and Youth Empowerment
Top: A Kalam man proudly showing his headdress. Bottom: The iridescent green beetle used to decorate the headdress.
Government (LLG), in Madang, the headdresses are crafted from generations of knowledge. Passed down from one father to his son, this unique headdress demonstrates one of Madang’s many truly diverse cultures. Ingeniously carved from bush ferns, the headdress is coloured with bright green Figeater beetles or the iridescent green beetle. The beetles have their thorax and head placed on the headdress giving the bonnet its unique shine and colour. The special headdress is worn only during special occasions. Like many places in Madang and Papua New Guinea, the journey from boyhood to being a ‘man,’ always calls for a special feast (kaikai), a time when the Kalam men wear their headdress (Fons) and their bright coloured Yambai (bird of Paradise feathers). The singsing is also a time to mend broken relationships among disputing clans, a time for young men and women to mingle, celebrate the bride price payment of a newly wedded couple and to build strong and lasting relationships between the people and their culture. The truly remarkable headdress is more than a traditional bonnet, but a symbol of strength and unity among the people of Simbai, the vibrant, magical and diverse Kalam people from Madang.
Naomi (second from right) and Nigel (middle). Both the crowned contestant winners were with (from left) Daniel Undaba (Mr DWU), Sylvia Alawa (Miss D’Cafe) and Thomas Dedmail, Mr Madang Resort (far right). Picture was taken at the Kalibobo Village lagoon.
Mr & Miss Madang for 2021, Nigel Totona and Naomi Alickson have successfully facilitated various activities, programs and had also run awareness campaigns promoting vaccination, this was all a part of their community engagement, however, they both said that it wasn’t easy due to the pandemic. “As reigning Mr and Miss Madang, it surely has been a challenging couple of months to carry out community engagement programs during this COVID-19 and Delta-variant pandemic. We are working as a team with contestants from this year’s Madang Pageant during our reign,” said Nigel. Nigel also said that they are closely working with the Country Women’s Association (CWA) to promote vaccination.
MTS invests in a 28-Apartment complex The Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) has recently attained a 28 – apartment complex which will be a good long-term investment, said MTS’ Tours & Operations Director, Wesley Hantan. “We are currently under the refurbishment-phase of the new apartments; it is something that we (MTS) are looking into for the future.” Wesley also said that it has been a difficult time for the company, due to the pandemic as well as the closure of the Madang airport. The apartment rebranded as Regina Apartments will have 28, fully furnished apartments with a conference room. The apartment already has several interested organizations that have inquired with bookings, said Sir Peter Barter, MTS’ Managing Director. “We have had some inquiries from PNGIMR as well as the Divine Word University (DWU), but we won’t hold our breath as we slowly refurbish the apartments.” The Regina Apartment will be owned by MTS, but will operate under its own management.
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“We are planning on providing some incentives to our tenants, talks are already underway to provide them with some access to the Madang Resort facilities,” said Wesley. Plans on the official opening of the apartment will take place during 2022, “but this also depends on the current pandemic,” said Sir Peter. For more information regarding the Regina Apartments, contact MTS’ Tours & Operations Division via phone on (675) 7999 1665 or, email operations@mtspng.com.
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The crowned contestant winners from this year’s pageant had also created a Basketball competition for under 14 and under 18 school students, “We are in partnership with the Madang Town Basketball Association (MTBA),” said Nigel. Apart from sports, the duet also accompanied Glen Barua, a motivational speaker, visiting many schools within the Madang town area. Nigel also was a guest speaker during a Cyber Crime Research, Training and Advocacy program during August this year, where he spoke about Data Interference, Identity and Defamatory Publication. Nigel and Naomi are both proud volunteers for the Madang Rotary Club, “we are proud to be a part of an organization that has done so much for Madang,” said Nigel.
Madang Resort wharf undergoes major overhaul
Top: Regina Apartment units. Bottom: The proposed logo of the new apartment complex.
Madang’s historical resort is currently undergoing a reconstruction of its marina. MTS’ Management has awarded the current overhaul of the resort’s marina to Sigma Construction, pictured above. www.twitter.com/salesmts
Ship Builder announces progress on Island Ferry
Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year to all
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caused earlier this year when Thailand went through a lockdown affecting the work schedule of the workers.” However, work has peaked again and the construction of the vessel is progressing. National Maritime Safety Authority’s (NMSA) Ship Survey &Inspections Manager, Samuel Kewie has been updated on the various reports of the Kalibobo Express. “I am pleased to stay informed
and updated on the progressive reports of the ship.” Plans are underway to send a few crew members to Thailand, to bring the vessel back to PNG. “We are unable to set a date, but it is most likely that we will send a crew from PNG to travel 14 days ahead to undergo quarantine in Thailand and to carry out tests,” said Sir Peter.
For the past 50 years, the staff and myself have made a lot of progress in developing tourism in PNG, it has been an exciting 5 decades since I established Talco Travel in Goroka prior to independence firstly in the Highlands, Madang, the Sepik Milne Bay, it has presented us many challenges to be where
we are at present as one of the leading tourist organisations in PNG. I am proud of our effort in assisting many other locals to open and operate hotels, lodges and other tourist services and most importantly see visitors to PNG leaving with such positive image of the people and the country. Despite the hardship, we have continued to undertake major refurbishments in PNG and Australia of our hotels, we are very close to taking deliver of the Kalibobo Express, the first ferry of its type to serve the islands and coastal ports of PNG and in the
midst of considering the construction of a new expedition vessel to be names the “Niugini Discoverer”, a new Marina, opening 28 Regina Apartments in Madang and most importantly producing Q&A booklets in 3 languages and distributing 500,000 copies to Papua New Guineas urging them to be vaccinated – this will give let you know we mean business and hopefully a brighter 2022 and beyond. Our best wishes to all our friends, colleagues and customers, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Communication students thank MTS for a ‘day in the sun to remember’
Research shows: Madang’s marine life MUST be protected
A fish classed under the Chaetodontidae family found sawimming at Planet Rock, one of Madang’s many unique dive sites.
This article is based on “Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of Madang District, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 820 new records, 2014.” Diving into one of PNG’s best dive destinations and also acquiring its rank as the 7th best Snorkelling places in the world, Madang has an abundant marine life that must be protected. Madang’s waters thrive with life, particularly populated with rare and unique estuarine fishes, but Largest family groups of estuarine fish found in Madang. Gobiidae, Labridae,Pomacentridae, Apogonidae, Serranidae, Blenniidae, Chaetodontidae, Syngnathidae and Muraenidae,Scorpaenidae and Lutjanidae, Myctophidae, Acanthuridae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Carangidae,Pomacanthidae and Tetraodontidae, and Caesionidae www.facebook.com/salesmts
research has shown that the fragile marine habitat is at a high risk due to several men-made factors. Madang’s seas hold 1,336 species in 128 family groups, which amazingly holds the largest population in the entire northern region, all kept in Madang’s wellnourished Lagoon. Researchers have stumbled upon this discovery and have to-date recorded only 820 fish species, which is 61.4% of the total marine and estuarine fish fauna, however, the threat caused by the increase of human settlements along Madang’s shoreline has caused a scare for marine biologists with regards to dangerous fishing habits, mining, the use of the ocean as a waste and sewerage disposal area as well as the destruction of mangroves. Recent studies carried out by the WWF has shown that the increase of the population of Madang, largely due to the migration of outsiders and the demand for cash, has spurred the decrease in fish population, however, there are no specific estimates as to how many fish have been lost so far. The real underlying message, “It is important that coastal communities know how to fish sustainably and be aware about the impact of human activities on the ocean, otherwise we leave nothing for our children,” said Jack Sagumai a Marine Biologist with WWF.
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Final year students from the Communication Arts (CA) Department from the Divine Word University at Tab Island during their recent harbour cruise.
Final year Students from the Communications Arts (CA) Department from the Divine Word University (DWU) had described their ‘day in the sun’ as a memorable experience. Priscilla Waikaidi, the class representative for the final years students conveyed her warm appreciation to the Melanesian Tourist Services’ (MTS) for providing them with free boat-transfers. “The Communication Arts Year 4 Class of 2021 would like to convey our heartfelt thanks to the MTS and Sir Peter Barter for giving us free pick-up and drop-off, a ferry ride to Tab Island
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and back again to the Madang Resort marina.” The final year students celebrated their final days together as a class on the coral-laced island in October. Priscilla also said that MTS’s generosity was heart-warming as it came during a time when many tourism businesses were struggling. “It was a very generous offer during this time, given the current COVID-19 repercussions on many businesses and we are extremely grateful to the MTS and the Madang Resort staff.”