Post Courier, Thursday February 12, 2015

Highway strife

Rains cut off road link

Locals demand compo Works Minister calls on army to clear landslip

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

CONTINUOUS heavy rain has caused a major landslip near Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province, which has cut off the Highlands Highway for the past two days.

Attempts to reopen the high-

way have been hampered by angry landowners demanding compensation, prompting Works Minister Francis Awesa to instruct the Defence Force to move in under the current callout orders to restore traffic flow.

He said the highway section at Kompri, between Kainantu and

Goroka, was covered under the Australian aid road maintenance program but the contractor and Department of Works officers who had moved in to clear the landslip had been harassed by people.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

THE general area on the Highlands Highway in Eastern Highlands Province where the landslip occured.

Put an end to the “me-me-me syndrome”

IT IS tragic Papua New Guinea is months away from celebrating 40 years as a sovereign nation and citizens continue to put their personal interest above that of the nation.

The “me-me-me syndrome” is a disease that continues to grow amongst our people and is now widely accepted despite its negative implications on our development and prosperity as a nation.

How much more can we do as a nation to educate ordinary Papua New Guineans that a road, a bridge, a school, an airport, a health centre, a transmitter tower and other infrastructure are conduits of development that will ultimately empower our communities and put them on the path to success and prosperity?

Our school children say the National Pledge every morning, echoing the sentiments of our forefathers to remain united as one people, one nation and one country in a culturally diverse nation. Thinking as a community rather than as individuals is the key to our overall success as a nation. It is for this reason we note with concern the story on the demand by villagers along the Highlands Highway to be compensated before work can be done to repair the road after it was damaged by a landslip. It is obvious that the importance of the Highlands Highway to the national economy and as a lifeline to the Chimbu, Enga, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Southern Highlands and Hela provinces is far from their minds.

Their decision to hold the six Highlands provinces and its people to ransom – by demanding compensation before the commencement of repair work – is nothing short of mischief. It is in fact illegal and could be in breach of the Protection of Transport Infrastructure Act (2010), a legislation that the authorities need to start enforcing so that opportunists such as the villagers get the message. We support moves by the Works Minister Francis Awesa to engage the PNG Defence Force to deploy soldiers to the disaster site to reclaim the highway and oversee critical maintenance work to enable the flow of traffic between the Highlands provinces and Lae or Madang. Police should be deployed with the soldiers to arrest and charge the ringleaders behind the compensation demands.

Sadly, the me-me-me syndrome is driving the growth of illegal compensation demands in PNG. Further investigations of these movements will uncover the involvement of highly educated Papua New Guineans, a lot of them already in well-paid jobs but on the look-out for opportunities to make a quick buck at the expense of ordinary Papua New Guineans. They need to be named and shamed publicly. In recent times the State has had to deal with compensation demands from landowners in most provinces for the use of land that host public infrastructure. There were instances when millions of PNG Kina in public money was paid out to the disgruntled villagers, only for the villagers to return with new demands after a couple of years. It is now time for the State to play hardball and enforce legislation such as the Protection of Transport Infrastructure Act (2010) so the message is driven home that we need to start thinking community and not me or me or me.

How to contact us

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Judge condemns attack on lawyer

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

A JUDGE at the National Court in Waigani has condemned the attack on a senior lawyer on Monday in court precincts by an aggrieved group in a court case.

National and Supreme Court Judge Sir Bernard Sakora told lawyers involved the case between one-time MP Robert Kopaol and John Nahare that the attack on lawyers was an attack on the court as lawyers are officers of the court.

At a glance

ATTACK: A judge at the National Court in Waigani has condemned the attack of a senior lawyer on Monday in the court precinct by an aggrieved group in a court case.

COURT PROCEDURES: When parties go to court, they submit to the jurisdiction of the court that includes following the rules and procedures of the court.

JUDICIAL SYSTEM: It is critically important for our judicial system.

He said when parties go to court, they submit to the jurisdiction of the court, and that includes following the rules and procedures of the court.

The events that provoked the attack on McRonald Nale were a result of a court proceeding in this court.

Sir Bernard said the physical attack and verbal assault

on a lawyer were tantamount to contempt and disrespectful of the court system and the lawyers.

Attorney-General Ano Pala also condemned the assault and called on the police to immediately effect arrests and charging of the perpetrators.

“It is critically important for our judicial system that lawyers as advocates of their clients should be free to do their work based on the instructions of their clients without fear or favor,” Mr Pala said.

Awesa slams locals seeking compensation

FROM PAGE 1

HE said the people have now forced government to take a hard-line stand against people who are holding the nation to ransom.

He said the Highlands Highway is the lifeline of PNG, servicing the PNG LNG Project in Hela Province, Porgera mine in Enga Province and coffee producers.

“Selfishness has now overtaken reason and logic,”

Mr Awesa said. “I will not hesitate to call out the army to oversee the contractor clearing the road for normal traffic flow.”

Mr Awesa said continuous heavy rain had resulted in the Kompri landslips and two bridges being washed –one in Kainantu and the other in Jiwaka. Jiwaka and Western Highlands

provinces also suffered destructions to homes, food gardens and livestock during the weekend.

He also thanked the people of Henganofi who cooperated with local MP Robert Atiyafa, who is Police Minister, to use an alternate route on the highway.

“I am asking the people to cooperate with Works and the contractor to open up the road. Highlands

Highway is lifeline of Papua New Guinea. A lot of traffic there services the Porgera mine, Kutubu oil project, the LNG project, coffee plantations and these people are being held to ransom for a very long time,” he said.

“It cannot continue where people are allowed to dictate terms to the government over movement of traffic and people.

ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS WITH A SMILE

BRENDA Kukoia is seen here selling fresh vegetables at the

now the biggest

safest

Pomio by-election scheduled for May

BY DENYSE KALAU

THE people of Pomio in East New Britain Province will go to the polls in May to elect a new member of parliament.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced the dates of the by-election yesterday for the seat which was left vacant following the jailing of incumbent Paul Tiensten for misappropriation.

Mr Trawen said the byelection will cost K3.5 million to conduct.

The Pomio by-election writ will be issued on March 12 and nominations will close on Wednesday, March 18.

Polling will start on May 9

The bottom line

At a glance

ANSREW TRAWEN: He is Papua New Guinea’s Electoral Commissioner .

VACANT: By-election for the seat which was left vacant following the jailing of incumbent Paul Tiensten for misappropriation.

DATES: Polling will start on May 9 and end May 22

and end May 22 while the writs will be returned on June 11.

The State Prosecutor and lawyers representing the Electoral Commission, have confirmed the dismissal of the Supreme Court

appeal by Mr Tiensten, which had led the Electoral Commission to prepare for the Pomio Open by-election.

“Now that the GovernorGeneral has approved the by-election dates, the Electoral Commission will kick start its program with the confirmation of the returning officer and assistant returning officer, polling schedules and budget estimates,” Mr Trawen said.

“A total of K3.5 million has been allocated by the national Government to carry out the by election process in Pomio District.

“The by-election will be headed by electoral officer

Theresa Sam and her team of five electoral officers,” he said.

Mr Trawen said the announcement by the Electoral Commission for a by-election would be of great relief to the people of Pomio, who have waited for the Electoral Commission to speed up the by-election processes for the district to allow services to flow to the people.

“The by-election processes will kick off early next month with the issuing of the writs followed by seven days of nominations for candidates and finishing off with the return of the writs in June,” Commissioner Trawen said.

PPL WOES

PNG Power getting unpopular by the day with their frequent and often unannounced electricity cuts. NCD residents are puzzled with the power rationing after three consecutive weeks of rain!

MORERAIN

A RECENT visit to the Sirinumu dam by city folks revealed a lake surrounded by lush green vegetation. It was confirmation that it has been raining heavily up at the Sogeri plateau.

WEATHER

ANY truth in reports none of the National Weather Service stations in the national capital and elsewhere are working? That would be a real concern, especially for folks in the transport sector.

SERVICE

HOPE the reports aren’t true. But if it is then how is it that kiaps maintained an accurate weather service without millions of Kina in funding during the colonial administration.

TOURISM

PNG tourism has entered 2015 running if international publicity on the country as

WARNING

a tourism destination is any indication. We were featured in the New York Times, UK’s Daily Mail and Lonely Planet.

AWARD

RECENTLY the UK travel magazine Wanderlust awarded PNG the Gold Award for ‘Top Emerging Destination’ in its Reader’s Travel Award Winners for 2015.

REACHOUT

STATE agencies haven’t seriously considered social media as an effective communication tool. Last year the Drum suggested the police and the Ombudsman Commission set up Facebook pages.

DISCOUNT

THE CPL Group have responded to the “discount” plea by a disgruntled shopper who is a Real Rewards member. The gist of their message is the card doesn’t offer discounts to members.

DRESS UP SCRIBES covering parliament were put on notice yesterday. Parliament security warned that they will kick out those who failed to dress appropriately!

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

A PICTURE of the public notice from Parliament’s security management attracted over 60 comments and was “liked” by close to 200 people when posted on Facebook.

Did you know that our noses can help us fall in love and even detect danger? that it carries a host of protective health benefits.

newly-opened Koki market. The reconstructed market is

and

vegetable market in Port Moresby.

Church against death penalty

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

DEATH penalty is not the solution to resort to and to reduce crimes in the country, and the Catholic Church has boldly declined to support the death penalty.

Their call came amidst a newspaper article confirming the plans of the government to go ahead with the death penalty with the options to decide whether it would be by lethal injection, death by hanging or by firing squad.

General secretary for the Catholic Bishops Conference Father Victor Roche in a press conference yesterday said it is against Christian principles to take somebody’s life and neither the judiciary nor the government have the power to take lives but rather should resort to life sentence with hard labour, adding improved justice systems, policing systems and certainty of punishment are also better deterrents.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Port Moresby John Ribat clarified that the Catholic Church is not against prisoner’s sentence to life imprisonment as a solution to punish those who break the laws of the country, instead of imposing the death penalty on them.

“We do agree that the Government wants to put a stop to merciless killing of innocent people, especially of rape, sorcery and murder.

“It is true that the people of this country also want the law and order situation to be brought under control, but the death penalty is not the

State to repatriate late MP’s body home

BY GORETHY KENNETH

SPEAKER of Parliament

Theodore Zurenuoc officially advised the Parliament on Tuesday that Goilala MP Daniel Mona passed away in the Philippines.

Before the start of the Parliament session Mr Zurenuoc announced the sad news.

Yesterday, the office of the Speaker told the Post-Courier that there would be a State funeral and that arrangements were being done to repatriate the body of Mr Mona to PNG and a finalised program will be announced soon.

Mr Mona died last week in a Manila hospital after he was medevaced from the Port Moresby General Hospital late last year.

solution,” he said.

Here are three reasons for which the Catholic Church does not support the death penalty:

It is against the Bible and Christian principles: “Thou shall not kill” (Ex 20:13). God is the author of life. In the Old Testament revenge was allowed (Ex 21:23-24). But Jesus in the New Testament says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44); Death penalty has not decreased the crime rate in those countries where it is carried out. The law and order problems continue to exist. PNG will be no exception;

Who is going to execute the convicted criminals in PNG? Nationals or hired foreigners? If they are PNG citizens, revenge killings will take place against the family of the executioners.

The Catholic Church welcomes the idea of higher penalties for abduction, murder, misuse of funds and so on.

“The Government is giving the signal to the offenders that it is serious about bringing down crime and corruption in the country.

“Death penalty is not the solution,” Ribat said.

The newspaper journalist who made his way up to be an MP formerly worked with the now defunct Times of PNG newspaper and the Post-Courier before he moved to the Central provincial administration where he was the disaster coordinator.

His father late Louis Mona was the MP for Goilala in the House of Assembly and the new Parliament upon the country’s Independence.

AND SO it continues accompanied at times by strong gusts of wind. This man was caught off guard by the rain, he had to make do with a plastic garbage bag as a raincoat and a cardboard box over his head to shelter himself from the heavy downpour.

CAUGHT IN THE RAIN CPL: Reward card not for discounts

CITY Pharmacy Limited says its real rewards plus card is a membership loyalty program to reward top customers and is not a “discount” card.

The retail giant said this yesterday in response to an article in the Drum column in this newspaper on a customer who thought he could get a discount using his real rewards plus card.

“It is a membership loyalty program effort that rewards our ardent customers who regularly shop at CPL Group’s retail businesses, namely City

Pharmacy, Stop N Shop and Boncafe.

“A member earns points by simply shopping in the abovementioned retail stores of CPL Group,” said a company

spokesperson.

“We never fooled our ardent customers about the nature of it and our promotional collaterals strongly emphasise that they earn points as a reward for being an ardent customer.

“The points earned can be used to redeem the prizes of their choice which is found in our real rewards plus catalogue.”

The membership loyalty program has over 120,000 members nationwide, according to the spokesperson.

A staunch People’s Progress Party member, he was defence minister in the early Somare-Chan coalition government.

Born on November 26, 1972, in Tapini, Goilala district, son Daniel successfully contested the 2012 National Elections, winning his father’s old seat, Goilala Open, and while serving as MP he was also deputy chairman for Parliamentary Services economic affairs, education (referral) and emergency.

MR Mona was actively involved in youth and church activities and had also set up a DK Mona Foundation which was going to be launched last year but was deferred because he fell ill. He is survived by his wife and five children. His funeral arrangements will be announced and published later.

At a glance

DEATH PENALTIES: The Government has confirmed plans to go ahead with the death penalty with options to choose whether it is death by lethal injection, death by hanging or by firing squad.

The points earned can be used to redeem prizes ...

CPL GROUP SPOKESPERSON Port Moresby

As of February 5, 2015, there are still 5 people living who were born in the 1800s, and they’re all women.

UPNG centre launches fire monitoring site

THE University of Papua New Guinea’s Remote Sensing Centre has launched the country’s first fire monitoring website.

The website FireWatch PNG uses state of the art satellite technology and is based on Google applications. Its creation was supported with funding from the European Union Delegation office in PNG.

It will show when and where fires break out in different parts of the country and can also provide data on previous fires, occurring in the last few hours to those that burnt as far back as 1995.

The website can assist the local authorities in disaster management as well as climate change mitigation planning in PNG.

“This website represents an enormous advance for PNG. Anybody can log on and see, in near real time, where and when fires are burning. The whole country is included, so people will be able to see fires as and when they occur in their local village.

“It will be an enormous help for PNG’s emergency services, and help for understanding the impact of global warming in PNG,” said Dr Bryan from the centre.

The new website can be viewed at the address http://fire.pngsdf.com.

Redevelopment program mooted for city markets

PORT Moresby will soon see more expansion to its markets as the National Capital District Commission takes on its social services projects to redevelop the facilities, the commission said.

Deputy city manager

Honk Kiap said this will include the Boroko market which was intended for the Central people if the Central Provincial Government does not develop it any time this year.

He said Central Provincial Government is yet to develop the market to its purpose and NCDC will give this year

The bottom line

Boroko market to open this weekend

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

THE Boroko market in Moresby Northwest is being cleared for reopening, possibly this weekend.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop’s first secretary Ned Gong inspected the site yesterday to check that there was running water and that toilets were in working order. He said the overcrowded Malaoro market at Korobosea would be closed this weekend and the vendors moved to Boroko.

The National Capital District Commission had transferred the Boroko market to the Central Provincial Government several years ago to develop for the Central Province people to sell their garden produce.

Workmen on site yesterday said the NCDC would be moving vendors from Malaoro, Gordon, Lareva and Hohola markets to Boroko.

This would allow for a major redevelopment at Gordon market to be jointly funded by the NCDC and European Union and managed by the United Nations Development Program. “I have to get the toilets up and running so we can have sellers out of Malaoro to come here,’’ he said.

At a glance

MARKET EXPANSION: The main markets that will undergo redevelopment are Gordon, Manu (Malaoro), Six-Mile and Tokarara markets. Under NCDC social services market projects, Sabama market was redeveloped and opened for use while Koki market was re-opened last week. The Nine-Mile market was pulled down for a major road construction.

BOROKO MARKET: The market was intended for the Central people however the Provincial Government has not moved in to develop it. They have been given this year to develop it.

to the provincial government to prove it.

He said agreements to redevelop the markets have been planned some years back and

NCDC will look into them to follow up on the works.

Mr Kiap said the main markets that will undergo redevelopment are Gordon,

Manu (Malaoro), Six-Mile and Tokarara markets.

Under NCDC social services market projects, Sabama market was redeveloped and opened for use while Koki market was re-opened last week.

The Nine-Mile market was pulled down for a major road construction.

Mr Kiap provided an update on the market development project as:

Agreements have been done for Six-Mile and Gordon markets to undergo redevelopment under a private-partnership deal;

Tokarara market project is yet to receive feedback after notice for partners to develop it was put out; and Malaoro market which is an informal market will be relocated and expanded as a main market.

In the meantime, Kiap said his team of surveyors has gauged views from residents there and more than 50 per cent of them had agreed to the development.

The market will be relocated opposite to the Manu Autoport on the free space next to Bava International School.

Mr Gong said he would like to move sellers out of Malaoro as quickly as possible because the market was cramped. He said although the NCDC board had given Boroko market to the Central Provincial Government, it had resorted to this new move because it was in “a crisis management’’ as there were no other market places available for vendors.

Mr Gong also said a car park would be developed across the storm drain from Boroko market location.

The office of Central Governor Kila Haoda said they were not aware of the latest developments taking place at Boroko market.

However, a spokesman said Mr Haoda wants the title of the land before he could invest in development plans for his people.

THE fire monitoring website.

Taiwan became the first country in the world to offer free Wi-Fi connectivity to its citizens and all its foreign tourists.

Konebada petroleum park under scrutiny

BY JACOB POK

THE Public Accounts Committee’s 2010 report which highlighted mismanagement of K50 million earmarked for the Konebada Petroleum Park in Port Moresby came under scrutiny in Parliament yesterday during Question Time.

Laigaip-Porgera MP Nixon

Mangape had asked Petroleum and Energy Minister Dixon Duban why the recommendations of the PAC report were not implemented, including the arrest of people who allegedly misused State funds.

He also referred to a PostCourier article on the report, saying the PAC chaired by Timothy Bonga had recommended a thorough investigation and the removal of the then petroleum and energy secretary who was labelled as “incompetent”.

People in positions of trust used the petroleum park as a good excuse to steal millions from the State, Mr Mangape told Parliament.

“When will this so-called Konebada petroleum park be developed and do you have a plan for this development because the honourable Members in this house must know how our own gas will be utilised to support and grow other industries and businesses in PNG,” he asked He said that K50 million was allocated initially and more funds in millions were allo-

Nepotism rife in Vudal

BY JACOB POK

RABAUL MP Dr Allan Marat told Parliament yesterday that there was high level of nepotism in the function and administration of the PNG University of Natural Resource and Environment at the Vudal campus in the East New Britain province.

At a glance

REPORT: THE Public Accounts Committee 2010 report which highlighted mismanagement of K50 million earmarked for the Konebada Petroleum Park in Port Moresby came under scrutiny in Parliament yesterday during Question Time.

MR NIXON: Laigaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape had asked Petroleum and Energy Minister Dixon Duban why the recommendations of the PAC report were not implemented.

cated in the subsequent years, urging Mr Duban to advise the Parliament what projects or infrastructures were built by these funds.

In response, Mr Duban said: “As far as I understand, this issue has been raised at PAC during Sir Moi Ave’s time as minister and were dealt with by the PAC which has the mandate to deliberate on those matters.

“And the recommendations by the PAC within the meaning of law, the PAC has the power to refer those who were implicated for purpose of prosecution,” Mr Duban said.

He said the petroleum park was an industrial park that would house a lot of downstream processing activities only when there was accessibility to cheap gas which was not accessible at this time.

WE ARE WATCHING

Deputy Speaker declared

SOUTH Fly MP Aida Ganasi is the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Mr Ganasi, who was the only candidate proposed by the Government, was declared unopposed by Speaker Theo Zurenuoc. He replaces former Samarai-Murua MP Gordon Wesley whose election was recently declared null and void by the Court of Disputed Returns.

Leader of Government Business James Marape,

who is Finance Minister, moved a motion for the election of a new Deputy Speaker.

Fisheries Minister Mao

Zeming proposed Mr Ganasi while Opposition deputy Leader Sam Basil, who is Bulolo MP, proposed Francis Marus, who declined. With only one candidate and no other nominations the Speaker declared Mr Ganasi.

Mr Ganasi is a member of the ruling People’s National Congress party and was an assistant Speaker prior to his elevation yesterday in Parliament.

Mr Marat, while directing his question to the Higher Education Minister, said the Vudal campus is being run like a family institution, with high levels of nepotism at the administrative level.

Mr Marat unveiled alarming allegations of the institution being run by immediate family and relatives of the vice chancellor and asked Higher Education Minister Malakai Tabar what he was doing with the allegations.

He said the current acting registrar of the institution is the spouse of the vice chancellor and all heads of various major decision-making divisions immediately below the vice chancellor’s and registrar’s positions were from the same province as the vice chancellor.

“What is the minister doing about a flagrant abuse of human resource management regulations and general orders which require a staff at that university to have worked for the university for at least two years before being considered for a scholarship award for training overseas.”

“The daughter of the vice chancellor had just started at the university and only in a matter of weeks was given a scholarship for post-graduate training in South Korea on full salary by the university,” Mr Marat told parliament.

He said the headmistress of an elementary school run by the university was the mother of the acting registrar, who is the wife of the vice chancellor and therefore the vice chancellor’s mother-in-law.

NCDC city watch lads keeping an eye for betelnut sellers at Waigani.

Mr Ganasi, who was the only candidate, was voted.....

THEO ZURENUOC

Port Moresby

ORDER IN THE HOUSE

THE FIRST sitting of Parliament this week drew a large crowd eager to know what would happen following reports that the Opposition was planning to overthrow the Government through a vote of no-confidence, which never happened.

IRC focused on revenue collection for govt

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE Internal Revenue Commission remains strongly focused on collection of revenue for the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaicth has told parliament.

Mr Pruaitch said with the revenue projection set at K7.2 billion, the total IRC revenue collection for 2013 was K119 million above the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook projections for the year.

He said this in his ministerial statement to Parliament when tabling the IRC’s annual report 2013.

He said this was achieved despite a large shortfall in mining and petroleum tax collections that were associated with low commodity prices.

Mr Pruaitch said the IRC managed to offset this shortfall by strong collections from other tax types.

“As well as delivering record rev-

Pala: No personal interest in Tjandra

BY GORETHY KENNETH

ATTORNEY-General Ano Pala told Parliament yesterday that he awarded citizenship to Indonesian fugitive Djoko Tjandra in record time without the citizenship committee because he had the powers and acted on legal advice.

And he said like everyone else, Tjandra, who is now a PNG citizen with a PNG passport with the name Joe Chan, had applied through the normal process for businesses in PNG.

“I issued the citizenship on the basis of the advise, these are the facts that are there and that I followed all the established procedures under our laws before I awarded the citizenship,” Mr Pala said.

Raikos MP James Gau took Pala to task to explain and disclose his personal business interest with Mr Tjandra during Question Time in Parliament yesterday.

Mr Gau, who got point of orders from Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch and Defence Minister Fabian Pok on the issue, also wanted Mr Pala to explain why he didn’t obtain approval of the Parliamentary citizenship Committee before granting Tjandra citizenship in record time. He also asked Mr Pala to assure the people of PNG that Tjandra had transparent

businesses that would benefit the people of PNG.

Mr Pala confirmed this was an odd issue which Papua New Guineans needed to know about but defended that his interest with Tjandra was on a national level and not personal.

He spoke about the interest of Tjandra on the Naime rice project in his Rigo district and how the rice policy introduced this week accommodated that interest.

“He is interested in the rice project, the Naime rice project. And that is a national interest, not Ano Pala interest, it is in the interest of Rigo, it is in the interest of the Southern region and the interest of PNG,” he said.

“In relation to what this man is doing in the country, it is public knowledge, it is in the interest of the public and public knows what is happening and like every

citizen of this country, this man goes through all the procedures that we go through in applying for business and business permits,” Mr Pala said.

“Like all of us on this floor of parliament and all of us under the Leadership Code, our interests are declared with Ombudsman Commission. If you want to find out what my interest is, you go and check with the OC where everything I own in this country and outside of this country is declared in the Ombudsman Commission report.

“In relation to the national interest, I do not declare those things to the OC, they are our duties and responsibilities under the law. So my interest if you want to know and that’s the public wants to know in this man and all is his business interest in the nation,” he said.

enue collections to Government, there are a number of important initiatives being pursued by the IRC in its efforts to transform into a modern tax administration.”

He said these initiatives include becoming a statutory authority to address IRC’s “attract and retain” staffing issues, replacing old computers with new ones that supports modern tax administration practice and training program. “I believe that we should all be proud of the progress that the IRC has made. And our Government is committed to supporting the IRC to do even better and to remove the remaining constraints that are holding the IRC back,” Mr Pruaitch said.

He said the IRC is really showing the way in finalising its reports on time and putting new initiatives in place to improve the revenue collection and to provide services to the community.

K2b in tax owed to state

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has urged the Internal Revenue Commission and Customs Service to collect more than K2 billion in taxes owed to the State.

Mr O’Neill also wants the IRC to expand the tax base over and above the current 200,000 tax payers.

“I understand there is over K2 billion that is still outstanding taxes to be collected for the Government and the people.”

We are encouraging the tax office to go out there and collect this money.

This money belongs to the people of this country and the people need to use that money to expand more services particularly in health, education and infrastructure.”

The Prime Minister was debating the ministerial statement presented by Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch on the 2013 IRC Report in Parliament. “We commend the leadership that has been provided by the Treasurer. We have a very small revenue tax base in the country, I think less than 200,000 people are paying taxes, which is generating revenue to fund the entire country.”

ATTORNEY General Ano Pala

I issued the citizenship on the basis of advise, and followed the procedures under our law ...

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANO PALA Port Moresby

RSPCA continues education program

RSPCA’s humane education program mascot and ambassador Wantok (second from left and sitting on lap of a presenter) and his friends are ready to continue spreading the message about preventing cruelty to animals.

Wantok’s tale about finding a good, loving home and family to belong to is always well received by students.

The RSPCA’s humane education program also tells the tale of Coco, a young cuscus who faces an uncertain future when he is separated from his mother.

Students are engaged and participate with positive comments in what should become of Coco and how they can help to create a better future for him and other native animals.

For schools that are interested to meet ‘Wantok’ this year, you can do so by contacting Brigitte on 325 2363, 7198 2200, 7196 0436 or email your interest or enquiries to rspca@rspca.

Lae city council bans street vending

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

THERE has been an increase in the number of street vendors in Lae city and the trade itself is considered illegal, says the Lae city council.

Lord mayor Koim Trilu Leahy said opportunists have often taken refuge under the shadow of street vendors to conduct unlawful activities, such as rape, fights and even pick-pocketing.

“As lord mayor of Lae city, I ban any sort of street vending in parts of the city such as the main market, Eriku and top town, starting today.

“Whoever sells retail items on the streets will be locked up in the cell without any fines being imposed on them, or any bail payment made for them,” Mr Leahy said.

He expressed concerns that the presence of street vendors in public areas, especially on foot-paths and bus stops, has caused inconvenience for the free movement of the public.

“Street sellers have caused the public to walk in very confined spaces and as such, they accidently bump or push either the vendors themselves or other people, and this often turns out into arguments and fights,” he added.

Mr Leahy has also directed the Lae community police unit to conduct foot-beat patrols this week onwards.

Kiap: Rainbow market not recognised

VENDORS and public using the informal market along the road at Rainbow, Gerehu have been asked to utilise the main Gerehu market because of safety reasons, deputy city manager Honk Kiap says.

Mr Kiap said yesterday that while NCDC is currently undergoing land negotiations for the market, both vendors and the public using the roadside market there should go back to Gerehu main market because vending on the roadside was unsafe and also not approved by the commission.

Mr Kiap said this yesterday after learning of an accident which occurred at the roadside market on Sunday where a car ran off the road and badly injured an old woman vendor and almost crushed a young man, presumably her customer.

Mr Kiap said the venue there is not recognisesd by NCDC, which meant NCDC disapproves of it. He said vendors must return to the Gerehu main market, which is redeveloped and spacious for use.

City hall says buai ban here to stay

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

THE CITY authority will not relent to demands for betelnut to be sold in markets and public places.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop’s first secretary Ned Gong said this yesterday.

He told the Post-Courier that 70 to 80 per cent of the betelnut ban would have to be implemented before NCDC decides on an alternate course to take regarding betelnut in NCD.

“The selling of betelnuts in the markets in the city is not forthcoming. We will have to educate our people first,’’ he

NCDC: Will not relent to demands for betelnut to be sold in markets and public places. This includes the newly refurbished Koki Market, despite the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announcing that betelnut will be sold in designated areas of Koki and other markets in the city.

BUAI BAN: NCDC says they still have to implement 70 to 80 per cent of the total ban before they decide the next step.

LICENSE: Those wishing to sell betelnut will have to get a license and only sell within their residential areas only.

said. “We still also have to implement 70 to 80 per cent of the total ban before we can decide the next step. As it is, we can’t. It is difficult,’’ Mr Gong said.

At the opening of the rede-

veloped Koki market in Moresby South last week, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced that betelnut would be sold in designated areas of Koki and other markets in the city.

But Mr Gong said NCDC would not allow that and would be chasing sellers out of the markets.

“Koki market will not be used to sell betelnut. The sellers at Lareva market will be told to move out,’’ he said.

“As you might be aware we’ve cleared Erima market. There will be no selling of betelnut in public places.’’

He added that the ban on chewing of betelnut in public places like bus-stops and offices also remains and those who wish to sell betelnut have to get licenses to sell within their residential areas only.

“We encourage the people to use the main Gerehu market while negotiations on the land for a Rainbow market are ongoing. It is not that we do not want to provide an alternative for them but we do not have a space at Rainbow for a market.

“So they are advised to go to Gerehu. The space they are currently using is a road reserve space, too small and it is dangerous for the vendors and their customers,” he said.

Mr Kiap said the idea by the vendors to use the road reserve to vend their goods was their own and NCDC is calling on them to move to the main market for their safety. He clarified that NCDC is not ignorant of their expectation of a market at Rainbow but is working hard to secure a space for them.

There are seven recognised markets and several informal markets which NCDC recognises as mini market spots. Mr Kiap said most of the main markets will undergo redevelopment to cater for the growing need of markets in the city.

Authorities slack in enforcing buai ban

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

THERE is too much relaxation in implementing the buai ban law in the nation’s capital, says the Catholic church archbishop of Port Moresby John Ribat. He said this yesterday when responding to views raised by concerned citizens on the social media on where the Catholic Church stood on the ban.

He said because the buai sellers and chewers were ignorant and relevant authorities were not tough in implementing such a law, this had resulted in the lifting of the buai ban in October 2013 and the recent announcement by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of the sale of buai and chewing sections in selected city markets to help control littering and the spread of disease

like tuberculosis.

“However, if other provinces can take ownership on the control of sale and consumption of buai, why can’t the nation’s capital do the same?” acrchbishop Ribat said.

“If we say buai ban still continues, then why are places chosen for selling and chewing of betelnut? This needs to be clarified to our people.”

He said it was already a law and the people must appreciate it and follow how it could be done where lives are not lost and excessive use of firearms are not to be used by police officers. He said in the meantime, it was difficult to put a total stop to this ban.

The Catholic Bishops Conference sees the importance of betelnut because people rely on it for income

ARCHBISHOP JOHN RIBAT Port Moresby

but at the same time, laws must be followed in order to achieve something better for the capital city.

THE RSPCA education team.

It is a law and people must obey ...

Election petition dismissed

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

THE election petition by Nemo Yalo against KaguaErave MP James Lagea’s win in the 2012 general election was dismissed by the National Court in Waigani yesterday.

Mr Yalo had relied on one allegation that Mr Lagea bribed polling officials through assistant returning officer Bernard Yambe by giving K500 each to presiding officers for Aiya rural LLG on June 19-20, 2012.

Judge Collin Makail, who handed the decision yesterday, said the same allegation was used by another petitioner, Daniel Tulapi, which the National Court, chaired by Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, dismissed in 2013. Even an appeal in the Supreme Court for a judicial review of that decision was thrown out.

Judge Makail said the allegation did not specify the exact time and place where

the exchange had been done and where Mr Lagea and Mr Yambe were during these material times.

It was also found that Mr Yambe did distribute money to electoral officers but it was their K300 allowances from the Papua New Guina Electoral Commission.

“I am satisfied that the issues raised by Mr Yalo in this petition had been finally and conclusively determined in Daniel Tulapi’s case,” Judge Makail said.

It is understood that two similar petitions were dismissed and the decisions were never appealed against.

The two other petitioners were Mr Tulapi and Komeali Kapo Ropa, who had their cases dismissed in 2013.

The petition by Mr Yalo is one of three petitions disputing the result of the KaguaErave electorate.

Kagua-Erave is a district of Southern Highlands Province.

MP thanks lawyers for dismissal

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

Kagua-Erave MP James

Lagea Lage, has expressed gratitude to lawyers Peter Kuman and Sam Bonner for helping dismiss an election petition against him.

A relieved Mr Lagea said outside the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises yesterday that the lawyers have done a great job.

He said Mr Kuman would be representing him in his case with the Public Prosecutor following the referral by the Ombudsman Commission.

There were crowds and supporters at the Waigani Court House to hear the court’s ruling.

Mr Lagea told them to gather at his residence on Sunday for him to speak to them.

He left the court house to attend the Parliament session afterwards.

Meanwhile, supporters at the courthouse said Mr Lagea has been hindered with these petitions since he took office and it is now time for him to settle in and concentrate delivering services in the KaguaErave electorate.

THE largest indigenous group of Hela Provinces, the Huli, paint their faces yellow, red and white and are famous for their tradition of making ornamented wigs from their own hair. An axe with a claw completes the intimidating effect. The Huli or Haroli are an indigenous people who live in the Southern Highlands and Hela districts of Tari, Koroba, Margarima and Komo.

THE INFAMOUS HULI WIG MEN

Quick thoughts

EXPLAIN COOKING GAS

Following recent announcements by ICCC for price reduction in fuel due to drop in global demand for oil, one would expect LP gas or cooking gas to follow suit. This is because gas is derived from the same product. Last Saturday (7/02/15) I purchased LP cooking gas at a shop at Waigani Central and could not believe they are still charging at the normal price of K49.95 for the 4.5kg bottle. This was after two announcements of fuel reduction by ICCC since the beginning of this year. Who is responsible for monitoring cooking gas price as I’m sure other gas outlets are charging similar prices. Is LP gas exempted or unaffected by the recent decline or are they trying to get rid of “old stock”?

Origin Energy must explain their pricing methods. ICCC must investigate and find out why the public is still paying at last year’s price. Also publish the calculations which you derived to arrive at the final price similar to fuel.

Gas cooker

ENOUGH ALREADY

And so police brutality rears its ugly head again. One in the nation’s capital and the other in Goroka (The National 10/02/15). We might not know the countless others that have occurred and not reported for fear of further reprisals by the officers.

The so called arrest of The National’s circulation manager, Barry Bill, is not accordingly within the strict procedures of the rule of law. Detained without being charged, assaulted and having personal belongings taken for no reason at all is not standard police procedure for making an arrest. The bashing of several security guards in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, by alleged drunken officers needs to be investigated thoroughly. And to think these incidents happened two or three days after the burial of the two victims of the Hanuabada incident. The buck should stop somewhere. Enough is enough.

The top brass should be fuming about this.

FSK – Pom

Looking for someone?

I AM looking for Greg Nigel Philemon of Alotau (Woodlark Island) who resides somewhere in Port Moresby. If anyone knows him or knows his where about, please call me on mobile phone: 739 21 259 or 714 83 395.

Kwekweina

Maiwori

Enga education politicised

AS a teacher, I want to comment that unlike like Morobe, Eastern and Western Highlands provinces, the education system in Enga is a laughing stock.

Enga is in the media in terms of delivering quality education. But in fact the system that nourishes that is defunct after politics infected it. A lot of things are not working right in school institutions throughout the province, politics has played a pivotal role.

Just look at this year’s appointment – there is no independent provincial education board. Everyone on that board seems to become a rubber stamp under the command of one person. Most of these members are illiterates appointing degree holders

to deliver quality education. But do they have a data base management system to appraise teachers and manage their issues?

Officers in the Education Department seem to be dominated by a single tribe who are all primary school teachers and inexperienced. “Who you know” works better than “what you know” in Enga. That means you must be known by Enga provincial government and the officers who are working there.

I have witnessed corrupt activities taking place with my own eyes. The appointment through board of governors’ meeting is a thing of the past in Enga Province. Today an appointment is a matter of phone text messages by top executives to the BOG

in the provincial hierarchy. A lot of bananas and pigs are brought to the residences of these top executives in exchange for positions.

A lot of these named education officers have ghost names to get double pay and most of them form illegal BOG for primary and elementary schools, where they are reported to have been closed or suspended. The education standard in the province is fall falling apart. How does the Department of Education depend on these kind of corrupt officers’ documents and reports?

Outside observer

The views expressed on these pages are the opinions of our readers. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Post-Courier – Editor

WRITE TO US Text us on 208

Curriculum dangerous

Letter of the day

DURING the colonial period in Kenya were three local Kikuyu men who thought that they knew everything.

They enrolled in an adult education class to learn English. When they went to the school they carried with them books and pencils and put them on a table. When the teacher came he asked them, “Who put these items here?” They said in the Kikuyu language ni ithuii atatu

The teacher taught them in English saying they should say “we three”. The following day the teacher found they had sharpened their pencils very badly “like sugarcanes” and asked them, “What did you use to sharpen the pencils?” They replied in Kikuyu na banga. He taught them in English saying they should say “with a knife”. They came back the following day but the teacher told them that he would not teach them until they paid their school fees; that the classes were not free. He sent them away and told them

if they were asked why they were sent away they should say it was “because of money”.

As they walked home they feared that they might forget what they had learned so they decided to assign the three phrases they had learned so far – we three, with a knife and because of money – to the three of them respectively, that is, to the first guy, the second and third.

As they were going home they came upon the body of a man who had just been killed so they started looking around the scene. As they were looking around a colonial policeman arrived in a car, saw the dead man and asked, “Who killed him?” The first man replied, “We three.” The policeman asked, “With what?” The second replied, “With a knife.” The policeman asked further, “Why?” The last one replied, “Because of money.”

Now the three Kikuyu men thought that they knew English quite well and were eager and happy to speak with a white man. But they were immediately handcuffed and landed in jail. Hence the English proverb,

Text us on 208

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”.

Revelations by insiders within the Education Department point to a poor quality of the elementary education curriculum.

The curriculum, as I understand it, is developed on a piece meal basis and not guided by the overall school education curriculum from elementary to secondary school. While this meets the political calendar and deadlines set, it is dangerous for our society’s future.

We certainly don’t want a curriculum that results in little knowledge or worse, the wrong knowledge, which in both cases is dangerous for our society. That will handcuff our future generation in ignorance and lead them to poverty!

G Bopi Port Moresby

Betelnut not economic cash crop

I DISAGREE with Okuk Mori Rogerson’s articles.

First of all, for the writer to say that the betelnut ban is cutting off economic life-line for most of the people is half truth. Betelnut has never been an economic cash crop for the people of Papua New Guinea in the 19th century and back then. However, its consumption slowly increased in demand in the 20th century, thus making it a lucrative commercial activity today. But it is the filthiest business one could ever engage. It contributes to almost 70 per cent of the rubbish found in all our towns and cities today while paying no government tax.

The betelnut business is not con-

tributing to our country’s economic growth through government tax, though it is helping to sustain ordinary folks’ lives. Further to the good income from its sales comes the high health risk like TB and cancer, which currently have very high rates in PNG today. So it is a risky, unhealthy activity than a healthy sustainable economic activity. Moreover, the writer’s question about Governor Parkop’s job policy can be seen today with the NCDC urban youth program. These programs are engaging many unemployed youths all over Port Moresby to work and later get sponsored by NCDC to selected schools for training and possible employment.

STAND FOR JUSTICE

Port Moresby was very safe in the early 1970 – 1980s. Now murderers and drunkards walk freely on the street without fear. Why we are hiding those kind of people? Put yourself in the shoe of the person they killed. It could be your brother or father, mother or sister. Would you still want that person to roam around freely?

For instance, take the Tatana case and the Hanuabada shooting. Are the authorities doing anything? Murderers are walking around freely because witnesses are hiding information from police. The Lord is good and kind. Those who do evil against him shall be trialled when judgement day comes. We must pray to see justice prevail.

Spy soul – Pom

BUS FARE TOO MUCH

sioner for disbanding the notorious NCDC reserve police unit. This police unit has been known for perpetrating all manner of illegal activities to suit the interest of the city management. Apart from the human rights abuse committed by the police unit on numerous occasions, there were serious allegations of vote rigging perpetrated by this unit in the 2012 general elections. Evidences of various instances of vote rigging have been compiled by various parties and submitted before the court through the court of disputed returns and the matter is still current and ongoing. Obviously this police unit is created to benefit only a few individuals at NCDC. Therefore this unit must be disbanded once and for all. NCDC must employ only security guards to conduct its operations.

Happy tauna

Unemployment is not NCDC’s problem but the national Government. Though the governor’s vision to transform Port Moresby might not happen overnight, 20 years’ time the writer and I will happily walk the streets of Port Moresby, and have a safe community to live in when all unemployed youths get employed. Finally, corruption has been there in the biblical days up until now. Inflated contract rates, if any as suggested by the writer, is for responsible authorities to look into.

I live at the new Taurama Block with a population of over 10,000 people, which is gradually increasing each day as more people move in. My frustration, including the commuters that use public transport is the extra 100 per cent fare charged by PMV operators. We read in the papers that ICCC says the normal fees charged for a complete route is 90t. However, the PMVs are charging K1.50 one way. Right after the strike at Tanatana and Hanuabada resulting in fuel shortage, they started charging K2 and still are. We complained but the crew from the Highlands region cannot comprehend and understand our concerns. This makes me wonder whether they heed the advice from the authorities. Please ICCC and the relevant authorities, come over to Manu Autoport bus stop and see for yourselves the greedy bus operators.

Rigo Melo – Kawarobu

GOOD CALL, PC

I congratulate the Police Commis-

BAD IMAGE OF TOWN

Asian shops in Kiunga township are using iron sheets as fencing, which are an eye sore. The image around the commercial area looks horrible with the cheap materials used. Some sections of the fencing were erected by cut-off or pieces of iron sheets not evenly positioned.

Does Fly River provincial government have policies to regulate such practices? The town mayor, town manager or town planner need to see how the town is taking shape and stop this bad fencing practice. If policies are there, it has to be enforced. Let’s avoid foreigners dictating what to do as they are only here for money. Authorities are urged to look into this and have all iron sheet fences replaced by fencing wire so the town looks good. Otherwise we are giving away the township to the dogs.

AB Kiruk – Kiunga

I made a promise in the 2002 elections that I made a in the 2002 elections that all professional Papua New Guineans in any all New Guineans in any positions must be earning the same salary as must be the same as their expatriate colleagues. their expatriate

Sir Michael Somare while challenging Public Enterprises and State Sir Michael Somare while Public and State Investment Minister Ben Micah on the salary cut on Air Niugini pilots Investment Minister Ben Micah on the cut on Air pilots.

Wanbel Niape NCD

Telikom Ltd to pay a group of Southern Highlands landowners K23,000 for accommodating a repeater station on their land. Feb 3, 2005 10 years ago

Transparency vital, says Polye

OPPOSITION Leader Don Polye has refreshed its concerns over the Government’s swift progress on expanding the LNG industry in the country without the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

“We are equally concerned about the set-up of the extractive industry and transparency initiative (EITI).

“We have restated our earlier call for their establishment but it seems it has fallen on deaf ears or the Government has not admitted their importance in fighting corruption in Papua New Guinea,” Mr Polye said.

He said it was an earache and eyesore to read or hear the Government’s statements on developing another liquefied natural gas plant or a new mine anywhere in the country.

“The Opposition is of the view that the Government has not put its priorities right in establishing the two very important principles –EITI and SWF – that can systemically fight corruption in PNG,” said a worried Polye.

The former treasurer said the Government should not be wary about who initiated them.

“The Government should

not worry about me scoring political points even if they are my brainchild.

“The Opposition believes in what best, we as the alternative Government, can provide for our people beyond what the Government is doing,” Mr Polye said.

He reiterated that the risks of mismanaging funds from the extractive industry were very high in light of the absence of the EITI and SWF.

“Our country has been reported as the most corruption nation in the global corruption index.

“To improve that rank is through the establishment of a SWF, EITI and other transparent systems of governance,” Mr Polye said.

He has assured the people of PNG that he would continue the fight to ensure initial versions of EITI and SWF to achieve their objectives, adding that the O’Neill Government has been seen fit to mismanage the country’s economy.

“It is highly suspicious to note that the first shipment of the LNG left our shores when the SWF and EITI have not been established,” said a concerned Polye.

USING an ATM, customers can access their bank deposit or credit accounts in order to make a variety of transactions such as cash withdrawals, check balances, or credit mobile phones. If the currency being withdrawn from the ATM is different from that in which the bank account is denominated, the money will be converted at an official exchange rate. Thus, ATMs often provide the best possible exchange rates for foreign travellers, and are widely used for this purpose.

AMALGAMATED GENERAL WORKERS’ UNION OF

OPEN INVITATION

This announcement is to inform all workers that; Individual effort in resolving workplace problems seems to be ignored and or are never satisfied by the Management concern. Such has been experienced worldwide and PNG is no exception. The workers’ grievances were resolved through advocacy. When logs of claims lodged with an employer to seek better and improved working terms and conditions are achieved collectively.

Opportunity is offered for you to achieve better and improved working terms and conditions with your employer through your membership with AGWU of PNG including your colleagues. ‘A bundle of broom stick is hardly broken except a single one’. AGWU of PNG provides such alternative for you.

Below questions and answers should assist you to know your rights to seek membership: -

1. Which law promotes collective bargaining and freedom of Association? International Labour Organization‘s Convention No.87 and 98 Sections 32, 33, 38, 43, 46, 47, 48 & 49 of the PNG Constitution including Section 39 and 63 of the Industrial Relations Act and Section 63A of the Industrial Organizations Act

2. Which Laws Guarantees workers’ to join or form a Union? The above laws in particular the Industrial Organizations Act.

3. Does the worker have to obtain permission from their employers to join AGWU? ABSOLUTELY NO.

4. Does the employer have any authority to approve individuals to join AGWU? It is individual’s rights to join or form any Union therefore; employers have no rights whatsoever to interfere, intimidate or threaten its employees from joining AGWU.

5. What is AGWU’s experienced with some employer organizations in the country? Few Employer Organizations in the country respect Employees’ rights but most Employers took issue on Union membership that employers have no standing on workers’ membership with AGWU.

6. Why employers took issues on employee’s membership? No satisfactory justification but is calculated and deliberate efforts from employers to avoid its employees pursuing logs of claims seeking better and improved working terms and conditions collectively.

Workers are invited to join AMALGAMATED GENERAL WORKERS’ UNION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA now for collective approach for a difference.

INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO WORKERS IN PNG TO JOIN AGWU NOW TO STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS COLLECTIVELY.

For further details or registration, contact the General Secretary or complete the slip below and return it to the above address.

ENTRY OR REGISTRATION FORM

I, Mr/Mrs/Miss...……………………………. hereby apply to register myself as a potential member of AGWU of PNG in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Union by which I agree to be bound. I enclose herewith my K4.00 for handling fees, entry or registry fees and postage. Company Name:

Calls to adjust budget

OPPOSITION Leader Don Polye has commended Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch for admitting Papua New Guinea’s revenue slump due to the downturn in oil prices.

“Despite the Government’s claim that prices for the LNG contracts have been locked in under agreements with buyers, the Opposition’s call to the Government to review the 2015 Budget still stands,” Mr Polye said.

He brushed aside another claim by the Government, citing the decline in oil prices had been caught in the revenue swell of the Budget.

“Despite experts’ predictions on rebounding of decline in oil prices, the Government should do the right thing and not expect miracles from heaven.

“We still maintain that the sharp decline in the oil prices by more than 50 per cent will have adverse impact on the 2015 Budget when the Government is due to implement most of the projects,” said a concerned Mr Polye. He said the Opposition’s call to adjust the Budget was not about scoring political points.

MP disputes K3m SOE pay claims

BY GORETHY KENNETH

THE Government has defended the appointment of a highly paid executive engaged to the state of emergency on PNG Power Limited last month.

Circulating documents and emerging reports have shown that chief financial accountant Steve Hollstead, formerly with the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) did not have or sign a contract with PPL and did not have a work permit and therefore was not eligible for a K3 million claim for the work he was doing.

Reports show that Mr Hollstead has put in a K3 million claim at PNG Power for services rendered.

PNG Power CEO John Tangit could not comment yesterday as he said he was not entitled to speak on the matter but acknowledged the work Mr Hollstead was doing. He could not deny nor confirm the the claim for payment.

However, Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investment Ben Micah yesterday denied that there was such an amount of money neither claimed nor paid by PPL to Mr Hollstead. Mr Micah said Mr Hollstead was engaged by the SOE by him as the minister responsible.

At a glance

STEVE HOLLSTEAD: The chief financial officer engaged by the state for the SOE.

CLAIMS: Reports say Mr Hollstead has put in a K3 million for his services to the state .

DEFEND: Public Enterprise and State Investment Minister Ben Micah said there are no such claims

“He is our chief financial officer and he has a business visa.

“At the moment he is working under the SOE and is on secondment to PNG Power while his papers are being sorted out,” Mr Micah said.

“But get it straight, there is no K3 million claim against the State and he has not been paid K3 million,” Mr Micah stressed.

SOE controller Tom Ur also defend the appointment of Mr Hollstead and said the report was utter rubbish, adding that because of Mr Hollstead they have been able to recoup about K80 million from illegal tenants, debtors and as well as identifying 2000 illegal power users in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.

“He has done wonders, this man and we acknowledge the good work he is doing,” Mr Ur said.

THE AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE

Harmful products still being used

BY MEROLYN TEN

PAPUA New Guinea is still using two harmful ozone-depleting substances (ODS), says Environment and Conservation Secretary

Gunther Joku.

The Department of Environment and Conservation and PNG Customs revealed this yesterday after impounding two illegal shipments of ODS by traders who have been dealing with the substances for the past 18 months.

Mr Joku said ODS are chemicals which are harmful to the ozone layer. The ozone layer, set high in the atmosphere, acts as a shield that protects living things including humans from deadly radiation produced by the sun.

“The two main ODS that are currently being used in PNG are hydro chlorofluorocarbons

STRATEGIC ROAD FALLING APART

This is the Mildfordhaven Road in the heart of Lae city. It serves as the main road link to many of the big companies and institutions in the country’s industrial hub. Unfortunately this major road link has been in a deteriorating state. The road is one of the busiest in the city. Given the extent of excessive usage, the level of deterioration seems to have gone past repair, according to former assistant commissioner of Police Giosi Labi. He said Mildfordhaven Road is in shambles and called on the Department of Works to fix it. Seen here is a semi-trailer crawling along the potholeridden road. Picture: FRANKIY KAPIN

PNG, European Union discuss relations

PAPUA New Guinea and the European Union have had a series of meeting to discuss and strengthen ties.

And PNG has now been invited to join its European counterparts at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, soon for further discussions on political, aid and trade matters.

In the context of strengthening bilateral political relations, the second PNG-EU political outreach dialogue took place in Port Moresby on January 29 to discuss both the EU’s and PNG’s foreign policy perspectives for 2015.

The Foreign Affairs Department was led by Jimmy Ovia, chief of protocol of the diplomatic and consular affairs division and C. Kayo, director general for the multilateral and

development cooperation division, accompanied by senior officials of the department and a group of 30 trainees who were participating in a foreign service training program.

The EU was represented by EU ambassador Martin Dihm, French ambassador Pascal Maubert and British high commissioner Simon Tonge and EU delegation staff.

“Listening and understanding each other is crucial for us in our ongoing efforts to strengthen the PNG-EU relations,” Mr Dihm said. “This dialogue follows through from the first-ever formal political dialogue held in 2014 when we started to upgrade our political relations.”

The exchange covered a wide range of issues of mutual interest to PNG and the EU.

US bridge firm enters PNG

US Bridge has made entry into the Papua New Guinea market in partnership with national company Trident.

US Bridge is a global leader in supplying steel bridges and providing technical support and solutions to all bridge requirements.

The group offers a wide selection of bridge styles to meet vehicular steel bridge solution needs with designs that are attractive, functional and aesthetic. Adaptable to local conditions,

U.S. Bridges accommodate skewed alignments, roadway widths from one to three lanes, local utilities and sidewalks with flooring options that include timber, concrete, open grid and their own corrugated steel planks with an asphalt wearing surface.

US Bridge has over the years applied its “solution based approach” to the international markets to prestigious customers throughout the world from highways to mining petroleum projects.

At a glance

HARMFUL SUBSTANCES: The harmful substances still finding their way into PNG are hydro chloroflurocarbons (HCFC) and chloroflurocarbons (CFC). They are harmful to the ozone layer

(HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), and they could cause distraction to the ozone layer and bring disaster to all living things on earth,” Mr Joku said.

“HCFCs are not natural gas but a man-made chemical made up of hydrogen, carbon, chlorine and florine, while CFC are made from carbon, florine and chlorine. HCFC deplete the stratospheric ozone but to a much lesser extent than CFC.”

Mr Joku said PNG does not manufacture these chemicals but imports them from China and Singapore.

He said there were certain measures taken to stop illegal trade through awareness during workshops, meetings, and trainings were also conducted for Customs officers to identify the ODS chemicals here.

“One of the key mechanisms of controlling the use of those two dangerous chemicals was through regulating of imports and this has only been possible with the assistance of the PNG Customs Service,” he said.

“The penalties of illegal trading are limited to the Environment Act penalties but has increased significantly to K50,000 with the main penalty of confiscation of the ODS refrigerant.”

Disabled person pleads for more govt help

HOSPITALS across the country must provide special treatment for persons living with disability as their needs are not common and require special attention, a person living with disability says.

Peterson Mathius, 21, from

Enga who has been living with disability most of his life, made the call yesterday, urging the government to provide the special care for PLWDs by allocating a separate hospital for them.

He said treatment currently provided by hospitals is not directed

to satisfy their special needs. He said most times they are treated just like any ordinary sick persons that their needs are not served well, leaving them dissatisfied. He said the government must also provide special workers to care for the disabled.

bwaluka@spp.com.pg

Milne Bay school celebrates level four status

BY STEVEN UMARU

AS THE 2015 academic year begins for students around the country, many schools took the first week trying to sort out their student registrations.

For Watunou Primary School in Mine Bay Province it was a bit different as it celebrated the schools primary status from level three to level four with a dedication ceremony held at the school grounds last Friday.

It was a great moment also to see its 26 students, comprising of 10 boys and 16 girls, continue onto grade seven this year.

A new beginning has come and it surely will go down in the school’s history after a long wait.

Provincial education adviser Roma Tuidam commended the school’s board of management, parents, teachers and students and the Watunou community for a job well done in gaining this milestone achievement.

“Many schools in the province go through a lot of landowner problems thus depriving the education of children but the children are our gold and the future lies on them therefore we must invest in their education,” he said.

Headmaster Japheth Kelesiani was a proud and happy man on Friday after the school’s dedication conducted by Kwato Church bishop Reverend Dago Walino. “As an upgraded school into the primary level we will seek God’s guidance, wisdom and power to journey through,” Mr Kelesiani said.

Rigo district gears up to open new health centre

THE people of Rigo District in Central Province will soon have access to a state-of-theart health facility when it is opened in the first week of April by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. The brand new health centre is being built at a cost of more than K14 million, funded by Rigo district services improvement program, and the Korean and PNG governments.

According to district administrator Iobu Lalai Vaina, the construction of

At a glance

RIGO HOSPITAL: The health centre in Rigo is being built at the cost of K14m, funded by the Rigo district services improvement program, the Korean Government and the PNG Government. FACILITY: Will house an outpatient ward, treatment centre, general ward and other necessary units and fully furnished. Three houses for Korean doctors will also be built and medical officers, nurses and national doctors will also undergo further training.

health facility consisting of an outpatient ward, treatment centre, general ward and other necessary units of the health centre, is com-

pleted and fully furnished. He said the Kwikila Health Centre will be one of the top health centres in all 89 districts around the country.

The Korean Government has come up with an agreement with the Rigo district to work in partnership to give the medical officers, nurses and doctors at the Kwikila Health Centre further training.

It has also been highlighted that professional doctors from Korea will be conducting training for the local doctors to better serve the rural people of Rigo district.

Rigo MP Ano Pala is not in any rush to open the health centre without thorough

completion of three houses for the expatriate doctors, which is the final phase of construction at the Kwikila health centre.

He said the people of Rigo must be given the best medical treatment at this new health facility which might be equivalent to services that are provided in the private hospitals in Port Moresby.

The contractor has been given the month of Februrary to complete all the construction works.

Nature Park welcomes Aust volunteer

THE Port Moresby Nature Park has welcomed Curtis Fowler to the team as part of a new partnership between the Australian aid program and the Nature Park.

Mr Fowler has commenced as the marketing and communications officer as part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program, which is managed by Scope Global on behalf of the Australian government.

Working with staff at the Nature Park, Mr Fowler will help further expand the marketing and promotional activities of the park.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to volunteer at Port Moresby Nature Park and have been so impressed by the charitable organisation and what it provides the community in terms of safe recreational

spaces, education programs and conservation awareness initiatives,” Mr Fowler said.

“The Nature Park really provides the perfect opportunity to

showcase and promote PNG as a tourism destination.”

Mr Fowler will be assisting the Nature Park for a period of one year and will be working with staff from across all departments of the park to develop their marketing strategies to grow the organisation.

Port Moresby Nature Park is a registered charity which was established by NCDC as an initiative of NCD Governor Powes Parkop to better the city of Port Moresby for both residents and overseas visitors.

The Nature Park will be holding its next major public event on Saturday, February 28, 2015, in celebration of World Wildlife Day.

The general public is encouraged to join Port Moresby Nature Park’s facebook page to keep up to date on upcoming events held at the Park.

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BRAND new Kwikila Health Centre soon to open as medical officer Fogari indicates.

MARKETING and communications of fi cer Curtis Fowler.

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Judge: Hela must uphold, respect rule of law

BY ANDREW ALPHONSE

THE Hela people must uphold and respect the rule of law at all times if they seek prosperity and development, says resident judge Martin Ipang.

Opening the legal year in Hela capital Tari on Monday, Justice Ipang said he had observed changes, especially after the engagement of the Papua New Guina Defence Force soldiers and police personnel in the special security operations to quell tribal wars and general lawlessness.

He told the police parade and the crowd who had gathered for the occasion that the people of Hela Province must respect public servants and law enforcement agencies which are in place to serve them.

He said with the bad publicity over the years and of the recent attack last year on the senior provincial magistrate, public servants from other provinces in the country had been reluctant to take up jobs in Hela Province.

However, Justice Ipang urged the Chief Magistrate

Imbonggu people call for public servants’ loyalty

BY SIBA MESA

THE people of Imbonggu District in Southern Highlands Province are calling on appropriate authorities to get their act together to see that public servants chosen to serve at rural posts are physically present at all times.

At a glance

CHANGES: Ipang said he had observed changes, especially after the engagement of the PNG Defence Force soldiers and police personnel in the special security operations to quell tribal wars and general lawlessness.

RESPECT: Hela people must respect public servants and law enforcement agencies that are in place to serve them.

RESIDENT JUDGE : The resident judge of Hela is Martin Ipang.

MAGISTRATES : Two district court magistrates will be sent to Tari.

to send two district court magistrates to Tari, adding that the district court needs to be opened to clear backlog of cases.

He said things were looking good this year as the Hawa Correctional Services would open while plans are afoot for a public solicitor, public prosecutor and community based correctional offices to be established in Tari to serve the Hela people.

MVIL opens Wabag branch

THE Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) has established an office in Wabag, Enga Province.

The office was officially opened by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Enga Governor Peter Ipatas last week.

The MVIL office will be located on the ground floor of the Ipatas Centre building in Wabag where the traffic registry office is located.

After officially cutting the

ribbon to mark the opening of the MVIL Wabag branch, Mr O’Neill and Governor Ipatas, accompa-

Man loses K24,000 in bank card theft

BY JOHNNY POIYA

CARELESSNESS by an old man and failure by a staff to close a bank account following the theft of a bank card has resulted in the loss of more than K24,400.

James Wimb (pictured), a tribal leader from the Andakelkang tribe in Jiwaka Province, had more than K25,000 in his account when he tried to withdraw some money at a Bank South Pacific automatic teller machine (ATM) at the Mt Hagen General Hospital last Monday.

Not quite familiar with an ATM, Mr Wimb asked a young man, believed to be from Southern Highlands, standing near the machine to help him out. The man told Mr Wimb to punch in his PIN number.

Thinking the card was inserted, he punched the numbers but nothing happened.

The man than told Mr Wimb his card was taken by the machine.

Mr Wimb went to the ANZ Mt Hagen branch and reported the matter to a staff there. He was told it would take some time for the card to be returned but the account was not put on hold.

On Wednesday the unsuspecting Mr Wimb wanted to with-

draw some money so he went to the bank where he was told his account had only K500.

A bank statement provided by the bank indicated a K1000 was withdrawn at the hospital ATM and goods worth of K8150 was paid for at the Daewon Trading store on the same day.

A total of K8100 worth of purchase was done in Masurina Trading andK1000 spent in Tininga Ltd at Dobel the next day.

One Wednesday the card was used in Mendi where more than K3000 worth of goods was purchased in Papindo Trading and Southsmen Enterprises.

Three different withdrawals of K1000 each were done both in Mendi and Mt Hagen.

Mr Wimb can be contacted on 73344832 if anybody has some idea who may have taken his bank card.

nied by the PM’s delegates, made a short tour of the new office before proceeding to other programs of the day.

From now on people from Enga Province will no longer need to travel to Mt Hagen or Port Moresby to launch claims on damages incurred due to vehicle accidents.

MVIL will be working side by side with the Motor traffic registry office in Enga Province.

This concern was raised because the Imbonggu district administrator and treasurer have allegedly been operating out of Kibiru Lodge under strict instructions of the Imbonggu MP for the last seven years, resulitng in the absence of other public servants in the district.

Speaking through a statement, concerned community leaders of the Imbonggu development forum want the provincial administrator and treasurer to clarify the positions of these two district positions and explain the absences of the two officers.

The development forum is also concerned about the absence of key public servants from their actual work location for years.

“How on earth does the MP for Imbonggu continuously imply that he is committed to delivering services when such services are to be implemented and supervised by the public servants?” the development forum leaders said. “The people want their MP to come clear and inform them of how much development funds have been redirected to meeting costs for office and accommodation rentals used by the district administrator and treasurer.”

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill chats with Governor Peter Ipatas and Wabag Open MP Robert Ganim inside the MVIL Wabag branch during their short tour of the office.

People will no longer need to travel to Mt Hagen or Moresby to launch claims...

JAMES Wimb

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University looks forward to new year

REGISTRATION and orientation of undergraduate students at Divine Word University in Madang began on Monday February 9.

The new intakes were first to register followed by continuing students on Tuesday February 10.

The campus has been abuzz with the arrival of students over the last few days for the new academic year.

The university is starting the 2015 academic year with the theme “core values and research underpin our search for quality”.

With the emphasis on DWU’s core values and research, president of the university, Fr Jan Czuba is optimistic that 2015 would be another fruitful year for the institution to build on from its achievements.

Speaking to staff during their orientation a fortnight ago, Fr Czuba spoke about DWU not resting on its laurels but striving to do more.

“To be successful we need to be driven by clear vision, a purpose, by a belief (and) to be motivated by the core values,” said Fr Czuba.

Lae nurses complete cyanide refresher training

SIX NURSES from the Lae International Hospital (LIH) are now better equipped with the skills to handle cyanide clinical cases after completing a refresher training recently.

Hidden Valley mine’s health and safety department carried out the follow up training for the health provider.

Trainer Dr Conny Casper said it is part of the mine’s international cyanide code compliance program and requires the medical team to

TRAINING: Six nurses from the Lae International Hospital have undergone a refresher training on how handle cyanide clinical cases. Including topics such as Effects of Cyanide, Recognising Cyanide Toxicity, Communication between Site Medical and LIH Emergency teams, and health partner preparation for response and managing cyanide toxicity.

CYANIDE: A salt or ester of hydrocyanic acid, containing the anion CN− or the group —CN. The salts are generally extremely toxic.

run the training annually.

“Apart from the training and awareness we do on site for our employees, it’s

a must we provide refresher trainings for our health provider every six months,” Dr Casper said.

The training took the nurses through topics such as effects of cyanide, recognising cyanide toxicity, communication between site medical and the Lae International Hospital emergency teams, and health partner preparation for response and managing cyanide toxicity.

Dr Noemi Juele from the Lae International Hospital thanked the company for the training.

“Staff considered the seminar as extensive both in theory and practical applica-

tion to the workplace,” said Dr Juele. “We are looking forward to further programs with Morobe Mining that will further enhance the capabilities of staff to handle various medical emergencies.”

The trainees were taken through practical sessions on proper personal protection equipment (PPE) for suspected cyanide personal by medical staff, main treatment of cyanide management, and administration of cyanide anti-dote.

He called on staff to ask themselves “why” they were at the university so that they stay focused in serving students and the public better.

The academic year will be formally launched on Friday morning.

It will begin with a traditional welcome Mass led by Catholic archbishop of Madang Stephen Reichert.

This would be followed by speeches from Fr Czuba and guest of honour and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Malakai Tabar.

Locals undertake personal viability training

TWENTY-FOUR villagers are set for a promising future after they completed a personal viability training at Timini village in the Mumeng district of Morobe Province.

The locals graduated with level one certificate on January 6, and come from the Wafi-Golpu project area.

The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), in partnership with Morobe Mining Joint Ventures,

funded the two-week training, which was conducted by the Entrepreneurial Development Training Centre (EDTC).

Nehem David, chairman of the Lower Watut Cocoa Cooperative Society and participant, thanked the organisations for providing the training. He said the training has equipped them with the necessary skills and mindset to become better at what they do as entrepre-

neurs or individuals.

“The training has helped me identify the mistakes I’ve done and showed a clear pathway where I can follow and improve. I can then share the skills with the farmers in the village. In the long run, this training will strengthen the market value of the society and our cocoa,” he said.

Morobe Mining’s community and rural development manager Benjamin Kamaya

said the company is focused on building the capacity of locals by up-skilling the communities for self-sustainability.

“We’d like to see locals build on their skills and take it to the next level. The knowledge you gain will improve your livelihood. What you produce can be enough to look after you and your family, and contribute to the society you are in,” Mr Kamaya said.

DR CASPER (left) and three of the nurses during the practical session.

To be successful we need to be driven by clear vision, a purpose, by belief ...

FR JAN CZUBA Madang

BY MICHAEL WARTOVO

GAZELLE district has gone one step further in introducing the go rural banking retail with the opening of one of a new BSP sub branch at Kerevat located at the Gazelle district administration premises.

The opening of the new sub-branch is a milestone achivement and it is the first of its kind in the province and the New Guinea Islands region.

Deputy general manager BSP retail banking Peter Boutcher said Gazelle district has been selected has as the first site in the New Guinea Islands region.

He said the go rural banking concept was one of the initiatives that BSP was using to bring banking services closer to the people. It will include a ATM machine.

Plans afoot for balsa processing facility

GAZELLE MP and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Malakai Tabar has announced plans to establish a balsa processing project in his electorate.

He said the project will cater for hundreds of small holders who planted balsa an an alternative to cocoa and copra.

Mr Tabar announced that plans were in the pipeline to establish this project in light of a decision made by major balsa producers in the province not to purchase anymore balsa from small holders.

Mr Tabar said people were suffering from the incursion of cocoa pod borer while copra prices continued to

fluctuate on the world market, forcing a lot of them to plant balsa as an alternate crop.

However, Mr Tabar said the idea to establish a balsa processing project is viewed as a way to ease the economic burden on the population and provide a profitable avenue for small holder balsa growers found not only in Gazelle, but also in nearby Kokopo and Rabaul districts.

Balsa is grown exclusively in East New Britain province and exported to many overseas countries.

Being a soft wood, it is used extensively in fibre glass boat building, insulation in aircrafts, toys, surf boards, hobby aircrafts and other

uses. It is also used widely as the main component of the blades for the wind turbines to generate clean electricity and the global move away from fossil fuel due to green house effect will increase the demand for balsa products.

Several companies are involved in the planting and processing of balsa wood in East New Britain but they have left the small holders high and dry after they decided not to buy anymore balsa wood from them.

Mr Tabar said the balsa processing project would be established at Vunavutung along the north coast road.

He said the district will allocate some funding to kick start the project.

There is a proposal now before the district administration to urgently establish the balsa processing plant in order to provide a market for hundreds of small holders who planted balsa following the incursion of the cocoa pod borer.

The proposal has been put together by a group of people who have been involved in key facets of the balsa processing business for many years and have come together to try and expand the industry in the interest of small holder growers.

The proposed project is aimed at establishing a local processor of balsa wood to create a market for the small holders and to expand in order to meet the expected

He said they were grateful that Gazelle district has a new banking facility which will erase the burden of standing in long queues in Kokopo and Rabaul towns. He said with the new sub-branch now situated closer to the people, it will reduce the burden of going to Kokopo or Rabaul to do banking services.

Mr Boutcher commended Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar and the district administration for allowing the sub branch to be established at the district administration premise.

Mr Tabar commended BSP for establishing the new facility in the district adding that his people in the district have been waiting for so long to have access to better banking facilities and erases the burden of travelling to Kokopo or Rabaul.

Business owner calls for literacy

demand for balsa when the world economy recovers.

The proposal is seeking financial assistance from the district administration to purchase capital equipment. The current balsa resource from small holders is estimated at 800 hectares planted over the past five years which means they are almost ready for harvesting.

For the past five years, an additional 200 hectares of balsa was planted each year which will produce close to 200,000 m3 of balsa log if harvested around this year and 2016. Small holders were encouraged to plant balsa in 2008 following a shortage of balsa to support the balsa processing industry.

B’ville needs to market investment policy

JOINT ventures are used as a mechanism to ensure that desired classes of investors benefit from an enterprise.

A local tourism operator and owner of Riverside Homestay Lodge in Arawa, Dominic Diuka, believes that the Bougainville investment policy needs to be marketed well for investors to participate.

“The ABG must closely monitor the types of business operated by some foreign investors here in Bougainville,” Mr Diuka said.

“Some businesses are reserved for Bougainvilleans only to undertake. We welcome foreign investment as we cannot operate an economy without outside

support.” He said the policy requires that foreign investors seeking access to natural resources shall have a local partner in ensuring participation of local business and other resources to localize a proportion of the benefits.

“Foreigners have free access to the market but it is required that where natu-

ral resources are involved in the enterprise that these be accessed through a joint venture arrangement with the resource owners.

“Financial institutions have strict criteria for commercial loans as compared to a joint venture,” he said. The local businessman said joint ventures comprised legitimate business

partners who contributed to the venture and are rewarded from its profits according to its respective contribution.

He said the ABG should enforce its regulatory functions in ensuring environment protection measures become part and parcel of the overall operation procedure.

A SMALL business owner in East New Britain Province is calling on Rabaul MP Allan Marat to roll out financial literacy programs for the people following the opening of a number of SVS Supa V Stoas in the district. Britain Tilom, a Supa V Stoa owner based at Ialakua ward along the KokopoRabaul Road, said financial literacy was very important where people venturing into small business activities can learn to manage, budget and save their money.

The Super Value Store group of companies and its partners had recently rolled out their 38th SVS Supa V Stoa at Nonga in Rabaul district and Mr Tilom was invited to share his experience.

His store is one of SVS’s seven projects in the province alone.

He said the most important thing was financial literacy and with the knowledge he had, he was able to manage the store well and within only a few months, around K120,000 in cash was circulated within Ialakua Ward.

He urged people to manage their money wisely and not to allow people to get goods on credit which eventually destroys a business.

He said the SVS initiative is very unique.

REGIONAL MP and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion, deputy general manager for BSP retail banking Peter Boutcher ( left) and Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar with female LLG president Serah Marum and Elizabeth Malori cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of the new retail outlet for BSP at the Gazelle district administration premises.

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Human resources key for B’ville

ALL economies in any democracy will transform and become prosperous if governments invest in human resource capacity building, says a Bougainvillean businessman.

“Education is knowledge and knowledge is power,” said Dominic Diuka.

He said this is the notion an indigenous Bougainvillean believes is the way forward for Bougainville if the region intends to confidently march towards the Bougainville dream – the referendum and full autonomy in the near future.

Leader keen to complete elementary schools

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

THE Halia constituency elementary schools program in Buka will soon be completed to compliment the ABG constituency member’s platforms. Out of 11 elementary schools, nine have already been completed.

Patrick Nisira, who is the member for Halia Constituency, has already funded eight chapel buildings with more yet to be built per the Liklik Kristen Komuniti request.

Greg Hakele from Ketskets Village said he was very thankful for their member,

At a glance

PATRICK NISIRA: He is the current Vice President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

REPRESENT: Mr Nisira represents the Halia Constituency in North Bougainville as an independent.

PREVIOUS: He previously served as the Works Minister in the government of former President James Tanis.

APPOINTED: Mr Nisira was also appointed as Health Minister within Momis’ cabinet on June 23, 2010.

Patrick Nisira, who has done so much inside his constituency compared to other ABG members.

Mr Hakele said work on the elementary classroom has begun to replace the one that was burnt down by

an unknown arsonist two years ago. Work on the new chapel for the village is also nearing completion.

“Mr Nisira has done a lot for the people in through programs that he has initiated, such as the Halia

water tank supply, the elementary schools, assisting women groups, youths and churches, and his policies to improve his people’s living conditions,” Mr Hakele said.

The member saw the need for spiritual healing and worship areas for the communities to use, hence, he initiated the program to build chapels in selected areas in Halia.

Mr Hakele said villagers contributed some funds towards the chapel while Mr Nisira met the rest.

Patrick Nisira was appointed as the current Vice President of the

Autonomous Region of Bougainville by President John Momis on June 10, 2010.

Nisira represents the Halia constituency in North Bougainville as an independent. He previously served as the works minister in the government of former president James Tanis.

Current ABG President John Momis appointed Nisira as his vice president on June 10, 2010 – the same date as Momis’ presidential inauguration.

Nisira has served a fiveyear term as vice president to Mr Momis.

He is challenging the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the corporate sector to embark on developing its human resource as the way forward for economic empowerment.

“Up skilling of manpower resources has proven and will continue to play pivotal roles in any economy. Bougainville is at the crossroad where skilled manpower is required to produce dynamic business leaders and administrators of public service machinery,” he said.

He said Bougainville will need to manage its own affairs one day without spending exorbitant fees on foreign consultants.

He said records speak volumes on payments to foreign consultants when qualified Bougainvilleans could undertake similar consultancy service.

“As a direct result, our region is facing a massive brain-drain.

“Our elites are leaving our shores because nepotism and corruption is rife at the administration level,” he said.

Copra farmers doubt buying tactics used by Prestine

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

COPRA farmers who sell their produce at the Prestine 101 Copra Mill in Buka have raised concerns on weight deducted from the total of copra bags.

One farmer said he had gone with 10 bags of copra and five of them were weighed under one person’s name and the other five was separately weighed under five names.

The value of the five bags separately weighed was higher than the other five

The bottom line

bags that were weighed under one name.

This is because the weight was deducted until a payment K90, or less, could be paid for one bag – which means the bags were sold at a rate of 90 toea per kilo.

This reporter was able to witness a truck that had brought in six bags of copra for selling with three farmers.

The first one bag of copra weighed 102.6 kg, the next four bags at 467.8 kg and the last bag was 132.9 kg.

However, samples were

not tested on the copra moisture meter.

On receiving their payment, the first bag had a total deducted weight of 13.37 kg, the four bags lost 53.41 kg and the last bag had 17.09 kg deducted.

The total net weight was 619.43 kg by the 0.90 toea rate and under one cheque payment, they received a total of K557.

The farmers have also raised concerns on the method of payment Prestine 101 uses by one cheque payment per vehicle

If more than one farmer comes with their produce on a particular truck then they receive only one cheque payment with each farmer getting a receipt of their value. They said this sometimes leads to arguments when they are cashing the cheque because stores charge fees and farmers quarrel over who should be getting the full amount without any deductions.

Manager of Prestine 101, who wishes to remain anonymous, had denied

the claims that they deduct weights purposely. He said it is according to the moisture of the copra. He said if the moisture exceeded six per cent, than the percentage would be deducted from the gross weight to get the net weight.

The manager said the reason for the method of payment is to minimize giving close to 300 farmers a signed cheque each as well as to minimize long bank queues. Arrangements have been made with BSP not to

There are 169,518,829,100,544,000,000,000,000,000 ways to play the first ten moves of any chess game.

deduct the two per cent fee from the farmers.

According to Kokonas Indastri Koporesen , the regulation of the coconut industry in Papua New Guinea, has it that copra must be properly dried and stored to minimize the growth of moulds, prevent loss of oil and decrease the incidence of free fatty acid.

Further, if uncured with the buildup of excessive moisture levels beyond twenty per cent, it can cause bad end products and unpleasant odours.

THE Ketskets village chapel nearing completion.

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Govt welcomes decision on Elk-Antelope PRL 15

MINISTER for Petroleum and Energy Nixon Duban on behalf of the Government has welcomed the outcome of arbitration on petroleum retention licence (PRL) 15.

Mr Duban in a statement yesterday said he also took note that Total is a valid participatant in the PRL- 15 jointventure.

He said he hopes that this result clears the way for significant progress on the development of Elk-Antelope discoveries for the benefit of all stakeholders, in particular the State of Papua New Guinea and local authorities.

He said he looks forward to Total being appointed operator in PRL-15 and that the Joint-Venture delivers the project.

InterOil Corporation (InterOil) this week advised that the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration panel has dismissed all claims by the PAC LNG companies, affiliates of Oil Search Limited, to pre-emptive rights over a share sale and purchase agreement involving an interest in the Elk-Antelope gas field in the Gulf Province.

The Tribunal has declared that Total E&P PNG Limited is a party to the PRL15 Joint Venture Operating Agreement (JVOA). The panel delivered its award on Monday February 10, 2015.

InterOil said it looks forward to the continued development of the Elk Antelope LNG Project with Oil Search and Total SA.

Market Snapshot

$A treads water ahead of jobs data

Oil Search vows to work with project partners

BY PATRICK T. WUNDAI

OIL SEARCH Limited (Oil Search), a disputing and aggrieved party in the joint venture operating agreement (JVOA) in PRL-15 in the Elk-Antelope project, has expressed disappointment over the the outcome of arbitration on PRL15 but agreed to work with their partners to see the projects get off the ground.

Following a statement re-

The bottom line

leased yesterday on the outcome of the arbitration, Oil Search told the Post-Courier yesterday that the company was disappointed over the outcome.

A spokesperson when requested to elaborate further on the outcome as to what it means to Oil Search as an aggrieved party and as a partner in the project said “InterOil will remain the operator of PRL 15. Any change will be subject to Joint Venture dis-

cussion and approval by the joint venture partners, Oil Search, InterOil and Total”.

Oil Search also advised that the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has declined to issue pre-emptive rights over the transfer of a 40.1% participating interest in PRL 15 from an InterOil subsidiary to a subsidiary of the Total SA Group, which was announced March 26, 2014.

“In a complex, non-unanimous judgement, the ICC decision declared that Total is a party to the Elk/Antelope Joint Venture Operating Agreement (JOA), but it also declared that Total has no rights in PRL 15 or in the Elk/ Antelope JOA, unless and until InterOil and Total comply with relevant transfer clauses within the JOA,” a statement released has stated.

The Statement said Oil Search anticipates that Inter-

Oil and Total will attempt to comply with these terms and the Company intends to work constructively with its Joint Venture partners to resolve all outstanding transfer and joint venture management issues.

The company stressed that Oil Search’s 22.8% interest in PRL 15 is a core asset for the Company. “The Elk/Antelope fields represent a world-class gas resource which has the potential to underpin a ma-

If Wal-Mart was classified as a country, it would be the 24th most productive country in the world.

jor new LNG development or LNG expansion, both of which are potentially commercially attractive, despite the recent sharp fall in oil prices. A key focus for Oil Search, its Joint Venture partners and the PNG Government, is to complete the comprehensive appraisal program currently underway, to have the gas resource in Elk/Antelope certified and move seamlessly into the development phase,” the statement read.

A MEDIA representative being guided to the one of Elk-Antelope drilling site by an executive of Total SA during a visit last year. PICTURE: PATRICK T WUNDAI

I look forward to Total being appointed operator in PRL-15 and the JV delivers the project ...

NIXON DUBAN Minister for Petroleum and Energy

K430m windfall for govt on NBPOL

THE Government expects a windfall of about K430 million when Sime Darby acquires New Britain Palm Oil.

Public Enterprises Minister

Ben Micah announced this in Parliament today, when responding to questions from Milne Bay governor Titus Philemon.

Mr Micah said the London Stock Exchange has approved Sime Darby’s takeover of NBPOL, at 7.15 pounds per share.

He said Sime Darby has also decided to acquire all the shares of smaller shareholders.

The PNG Government, through Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) owns 3 percent, and the West New Britain Provincial Government owns 8 percent.

“NBPOL started as Harrison Crossfields in the 1960s in West New Britain. Over time as the ownership changed hands, it expanded into Oro, Milne Bay, Morobe and Solomons Islands, with mills in London.

“It’s grown into a very large fully integrated agriculture company, with emphasis in sugar, beef, and oil palm.

“Through listing on the stock exchange, ownership has changed hands over time. Today, Kulim is the major shareholder.

“Sime Darby is a giant and it is bidding for all of Kulims

Settlers hold up expansion of rice distributor

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

PNG’s second largest rice distributor Home State is in a dilemma where it may be forced to make radical changes that will affect its operations, a company executive said.

At a glance

SIME DARBY: Sime

Darby Berhad is a major Malaysia-based multinational conglomerate involved in 5 core sectors: plantations, property, industrial, motors and energy & utilities.

NBPOL: Is the world’s leading producer of sustainable palm oil.

LONDON STOCK

EXCHANGE: Has approved Sime Darby’s takeover of NBPOL at 7.15 pounds per share.

shares, and all other smaller shareholders who together hold 18 percent. The London Stock Exchange has approved the deal, so we will receive K130 million from the State’s 3 percent.”

He said from its 8 percent, the WNB Provincial Government will receive about K300 million.

Mr Micah said part of the condition of the acquisition was that it was not contrary to PNG’s national interest.

“Sime Darby will delist after the takeover. The Prime Minister has approached the company to sell back 30 percent to the government of PNG at a discount price. We will pursue this in negotiations with the company,” he said.

OTML staff to receive world class training

OK TEDI Mining Limited’s (OTML) supervisors and employees will receive world-class training and development over the next five years as part of a multimillion kina strategic partnership.

The State-owned mine signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Australian-based JKTech last month which will see high-end technology products, services and training provided to OTML.

JKTech is a world leader in delivering economic and social value to the global resources industry and a technology transfer company for the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at the University of Queensland.

The MOU means JKTech will assist OTML develop and implement a Human Capital Development Program, which will begin with employees in leadership and supervisory roles.

OTML chief operating officer, Musje Werror said

the partnership is very important as it will improve the competency of employees and set the foundation for the Company’s future growth.

“The next few years will be very challenging for OTML with the falling copper price and current production issues we are experiencing,” Mr Werror said.

“To remain viable all our employees must perform to a high standard. Just doing our jobs is now no longer acceptable. We have to do our jobs better and the Human Capital Development Program will be crucial to OTML achieving this,” he

added.

JKTech general manager of Technology and Knowledge Transfer Brett Cunningham said OTML employees would receive access to world class training and development, in-house and through global exchanges, which will in turn contribute to improved skills and capabilities for the company as well as the PNG Mining industry.

“JKTech and SMI are incredibly proud of our newly formed strategic partnership with OTML. We consider it a great privilege to be entrusted with positively shaping and transforming OTML’s capability and operations through the Human Capital Development Program,” Mr Cunningham said.

The partnership will also see JKTech providing the OTML HR team with best practice workforce planning tools to connect data, process and plans to strategically develop the capability of the OTML workforce.

Home State legal coordinator Clive Kalake said the company had complied with formal procedures and they also made payments to secure the land portion 636 at Malahang and its title from the appropriate individuals.

“Despite evacuation notices being given to the settlers for the last two years, they’ve refused to move and they are still living there,” Mr Kalake said.

The situation poses a threat to investor confidence from foreign companies who want to do business in the country.

The rice distributor stated that they had to make an immediate move as this is their third year of holding onto the title without making developments on the land.

According to Mr Kalake the land title will be terminated after a particular leased land has not been used after five years. “We also need space to create an additional warehouse to store our rice and salt products because the current site we are operating from is quite small,” Mr Kalake said.

He siad the firm had approached the settlers several times to provide assistance in having the settlers relocated, however, the settlers often come up with excuses and ridiculous requests every time they visit them.

Home State Corporation managing director Paiboon Wetwatanna recently told the Post-Courier the force evacuation is something that he refuses to do but it has come to a point where such drastic action has to be taken.

He said his concern for the welfare of families in the area had caused him to prolong his decision to force the people to leave the area.

Local leader and resident of the settlers, Begasin Matok More, refuted these claims and said there wasn’t any eviction notice given to them.

Poultry farmers raise concerns over bio security risks

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

PNG’s poultry industry may face possible threats if the current laws on the importation of uncooked poultry products are not changed, a poultry farmer says.

Zenag Chicken operations manager and the Poultry Industry Association (PIA) president Stanley Leahy revealed that the country does not have an effective protocol to regulate foreign poultry products

entering the country.

“A large-scale virulent disease outbreak in the PNG poultry industry is the greatest risk that is associated with the importation of uncooked poultry products.

“This includes diseases such as the Newcastle Disease and the Avian Influenza or more commonly known as the Bird Flu,” Mr Leahy said.

Mr Leahy made reference to the recent outbreak of the Newcastle disease in New

South Wales stating that it resulted in the slaughter of over a million poultry and domesticated bird species. It had cost almost AUD $24 million (K49 million) to contain the situation, however, the Newcastle disease was never fully eradicated. “It is now compulsory to vaccinate for Newcastle disease in NSW but the PNG poultry industry is free of Newcastle disease and does not vaccinate for the disease,” he added.

With the current financial state that the country is going through, it is evident that the neither the PIA nor the national government, has the technical or financial resources to contain such a situation.

Large commercial poultry producers are not the only ones who will be impacted when an outbreak of a virulent disease occurs from the importation of uncooked poultry products.

OTML human resources manager Harold Duigu handing over the agreement (MOU) to JKTech general manager of technology and knowledge transfer Brett Cunningham, as OTML chief operating officer Musje Werror looks on.

To remain viable all our employees must perform to a high standard ...

MUSJE WERROR Tabubil

LOCAL Poultry Farmers will have to make major changes to their business if the laws on importation of uncooked poultry product are not attended to immediately. Picture Courtesy of Stanley Leahy.

MICAH announced in parliment during question time that t he states stands to make a windfall of K430m when Sime Darby acquires NBPOL.

Mangape: Mining laws need to be reviewed

BY JEFFREY ELAPA

PRODUCTION sharing contract is the way forward for resource benefits in the country, shadow minister for Mining, Petroleum and Energy Nixon Mangape said.

Mr Mangape whose electorate hosts the world class Porgera Gold Mine said the resource landowners in the country have been mere spectators in their own land as the country’s resource laws are out-dated and are in favour of the investors.

Mr Mangape who supports the idea of production sharing contract system in the petroleum regime as proposed by former secretary for the department of Petroleum and Energy Joseph Gabut, which was conceived by late Ambassador and top constitutional

At a glance

PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACT SYSTEM: A system proposed by former secretary for the department of Petroleum and Energy Joseph Gabut, which was conceived by late Ambassador and top constitutional lawyer, resources and land ownership advocate Peter Donigi,that looks at a 50-50 stake in the resource industry.

NIXON MANGAPE: Says the system should be extended to the mining sector as the way forward to equal benefit sharing and that the royalty system should be done away with to allow landowners an equal share of benefits.

lawyer resources and land ownership advocate Peter Donigi, said looking at a 50-50 stake in the resource industry is the way forward for PNG.

He said it is a win-win system for everyone including the investor, the government and the resource landowners as it will be a 50-50 per cent stake sharing system instead

of the royalty and equity system in the country.

He said the PSC system should also be extended to the mining sector as the way forward to equal benefit sharing.

Mr Mangape who is a chief landowner of the Porgera gold mine and the Mt Kare mine in the Enga province

said any future agreement in landowner benefits should be done in PSC system.

“I want to see an equal system or win-win system of benefit sharing in the extractive industry in the country. We cannot rely on the royalty, equity and tax system in the country. We need to look at better ways of sharing benefits from our resources, a 50-50% benefit sharing is the way forward as proposed by Mr Gabut ” he said.

He said, “The current laws favours the investors and the poor landowners become mere spectators and the benefits are minimal.

“These minimal benefits cannot improve the lives of the people when the royalty is shared among the landowners.”

He said the parliament

Barrick’s training program helps students

should now look at legislations to empower the landowners to take ownership and receive better benefits, an equal benefit sharing system in the country.

“We cannot continue to rely on the colonial laws anymore when we have matured 40 years,” he said.

He said the current Ok Tedi practice would also be beneficial but the ownership stake should be increased to a 50-50 system instead of the 22-30% so the landowners can own the resource and benefit from it and improve their lives.

“Our job as elected leaders is for the benefit of our people so we should make laws that empower our people to own their resources and benefit well from it so the 9th Parliament has to leave a legacy for our people,” he said.

BSP opens rural branch in Kerevat

BARRICK Gold Corporation subsidiary Barrick (Niugini) Limited this year had the largest number of industrial trainees at the Porgera Gold mine since the inception of the industrial training program.

Last year 50 students from various tertiary institutions in the country were at mine attached with departments and sections according to their fields of study.

Electrical engineering final year students Lorna Komba and Glenda Gabriel and mechanical engineering final year students Aidan Marabe and Stanley Umbu from the University of Technology were part of these 50 trainees.

They were attached with the Asset Management and Infrastructure Department. Engineering and drafting senior engineer David Palei was responsible for facilitating the training program for the engineering students.

“We basically get them to rotate to different sections in the engineering department, workshops, and all the sections in the maintenance department. We want them to have a feel of the practical applications of what they learnt back in school,” Palei said.

The electrical engineering students from Enga Province were involved with various projects and tasks which involved running and terminating cables, changing power lines, installation of new electrical equipment, wiring of cables, among others.

“We were tasked to do photocopies and organise drawings according to the drawing numbers. I learnt of the different types of electrical drawings and the project taught me about the symbols of electrical equipment and their connections,” Ms Komba said.

Engineer Kevin Adam said they encourage trainees to learn as much as possible during their time on site.

Allowing them to work at their own pace and set directions and solutions toward problems on their own.

“We don’t expect a lot from them and we encourage them not to be too hard on themselves because we want them to learn,” Adam said.

Ms Komba added she received quality training and coaching and expressed gratitude to the Porgera supervisors for making time to teach her and her colleagues new concepts.

THE LOCAL and business community in Kerevat, East New Britain Province (ENBP), have heaped praise on Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for providing banking services in their community.

This is because they do not spend time and money travelling into Rabaul or Kokopo to do banking with the establishment of a BSP rural Branch right at their doorstep.

The joy of having banking services in the community was evident as locals celebrated the official launch with song and dance yesterday morning.

BSP has been operating a rural sub branch in Kerevat for four years, but officially opened its new Kerevat rural branch yesterday. Regional MP and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion and Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar who spoke highly of BSP’s presence in the community officiated at the launch.

The new building is located within the District Administration grounds.

BSP’s presence is significant for the local community, as the bank provides a platform to boost economic growth in the district.

For commodity growers, subsistence farms and local SME’s the BSP rural Branch is a blessing, as it means more time is spent being productive and less time and money spent on travel/fuel expenses.

Locals have opened accounts and access other services provided, including saving money, in the comfort of their community.

Mr Dion said that the opening of the BSP Kerevat branch was an indication of a strong relationships built through the private-public business partnership between the govern-

ment and the BSP.

“The opening of this branch falls in line with the provincial government’s goals for all the districts and I am pleased that BSP has expanded its operations in ENB,” the Regional MP said.

Mr Tabar added that the sub branch opening stood as an indicator to economic prosperity in any society.

“We are grateful today for the decision of the management of BSP for this concept of rural banking, and I stand here on behalf of us all to say thank you,” Mr Tabar said.

BSP deputy GM Networking Peter Boutcher, Deputy PM Leo Dion and BSP NGI area manager Albert Burua, at the opening of the BSP Kerevat Branch.

Advertising: 309 1115 or email ksibona@spp.com.pg

Best move to be made

SECURE for yourself by far the best in a compound of fourteen town houses. Spread over multiple levels is a timeless classic that is sure to please. Be greeted at ground level by a warm wooden panelled kitchen, an open lounge to capture your imagination on the next flight up and sleeping accommodation to top off (three bedrooms and an ensuite). The patio overlooks the swimming pool, with ease of access to the BBQ and entertainment area. This unit is within walking distance to the kids play ground and tennis court which are some facilities on offer at this compound. Back up water and power available and security onsite 24hours.

For Sale K 1.25m

Please contact the sales team at Strickland Real Estate on Ph: 3200944

Email: salesdesk@sre.com.pg for inspections.

Editorial: 309 1107 or email kialaw@spp.com.pg

Office space offer

AN IDEAL office space located in the heart of downtown with a breath taking sea view is now available for lease. It is on the 2nd floor of the Ela Beach Tower and has a floor size of 414 square metres. The existing structure has 5 office spaces, 2 conference rooms, a reception area, a server room, and of course, a cafeteria. The rate is available upon enquiry. For further information or enquiries, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Henry or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg.

SAVANNAH HEIGHTS

Wokples lease

LOCATED in Waigani is a newly built office structure with a great view. The office space is in the Wokples Building located in Savannah Heights. The entire structure has 3 floors of about 1500 m2 of office space for each floor of which the remaining 351m2 is currently available for lease. The building has a great view of the city as well as magnificent indoor pond on the ground floor and has a large parking space to cater for clients. The structure has all main features of a good operational office space which includes access to public transit, availability of natural light with high ceilings, like minded community, security, back-up facilities, restrooms, emergency exits, etc.

For further information or enquiries, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Henry or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg .

Value & comfort

NOW available for lease in Korobosea is a split level four bedroom fully furnished unit. With only two units in the property, yard traffic is kept at a minimum. In quiet, safe and secure location, back up power and water is provided to ensure that your tenancy is comfortable and stress free in times emergencies.

Leasing at K 2,700.00 per week.

Arrange to inspect now with; Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289 or email: mmays@sre.com.pg

Location matters

Islander home

LOCATED in the Islander Village in Waigani is a split level townhouse going for K4000 per week. The property has 3 bedrooms with the master ensuite, spacious living area, a carport, air conditioning, 24 hour security and has back up water and power.

Being in a safe, quiet and friendly environment, the property is ideal for a family and is conveniently near public transport and a few minutes away from shopping centres and markets.

For further information and inspections, please contact DAC Real Estate on 325 0822 and ask for Henry or email us on leasing@dac.com.pg.

Website: www.dac.com.pg to view similar properties we have available.

GORDONS 5

Kitogara lease

A SPACIOUS, fully furnished, and newly renovated semi-detached unit is available for lease in Gordons 5, Port Moresby. It is located in the corner of Ugava and Kitogara Street, just five minutes drive away from shopping malls, POM airport, and city restaurants. This 3 bedrooms unit has split level with 3 toilets and 2 shower rooms including an En-suite in the masters’ bedroom. It has ample and partly covered vehicle parking spaces. Gate is electric operated. We provide 24 hours security, back-up water & power. Furniture are new. A 42” LCD TV and microwave are included. Rate is K2,800/wk plus GST. Please contact CHM Group on 3010500 and look for Joselito (mobile: 72493404) or Ham (mobile: 70903033). Email joselito@chm.com.pg or chi@chm.com.pg.

WAIGANI

For advertising, call 309 1122 or email nkweyaula@spp.com.pg

For editorial, call 309 1025 or email dwaketsi@spp.com.pg

School caters for less fortunate

PNG Education Development Services Secondary (PNGDSS) enrols students for Grade 9 to 12 in four centres in the country and expects more students this year. Established in 2011 at Avi, Jiwaka Province, it now has a branch in Mt Hagen, Lae and Port Moresby.

Founder John Rumints said the school was to help students who could not proceed in the formal sector due to space limitation and for students to have a chance in continuing their education.

Institute gives hope to drop-outs

BY DIANNE WAKETSI

PACIFIC Arts and Technical Institute or PATI is offering academic, arts and technical courses, in a bid to give Grade 8, 10 and 12 dropouts second chances to continue their education.

Located within the Department of Works Compound, the institute is purely nationally owned and run by a team of vibrant like minded professionals from various parts of the country—with visions and focus to provide second chances for our young people who have been sidelined by the education system.

The Institute will still be using the Outcome Based Education; the slow transition to the Standard Based Education system is eminent once the Department of Education gives approval to the school use this new system.

Students will be allegeable to sit for the National Examination set by the MSB and upon completion of the course will be given two certificates an Upper Secondary School Certificates and the NC1 (trade certificates) in various trades.

PATI’s academic courses consist of lower and upper secondary school courses such as Visual Arts, Dance and Drama, and Music courses— from song composition to reading written music and to stage performances.

Technical courses on offer include Information Technology—IT (Computing); Accounting and Business Studies; Painting and sign writing; Cosmetology; Garment Technology; Food Technology; Tourism and Hospitality Management; Sound Engineering and Multimedia Production; Electrical and Electronics; Motor Mechanics; Metal Fabrication; Carpentry and Plumbing and Joinery; Fitter Machining, Design and Technology.

The institute also offers short courses such as introduction to Demography, Business Management and SME, Introduction to Basic Computer Applications and other short courses.

Although the institute is targeting the Grade 8,10 and 12 leavers enrolment is not age restricted and the school is accepting people as old as 60 years and as young as 13 years to enrol at the school.

Registration of Interest and Entry Tests are still open to interested students with enrolment to close by the end of February at close of business.

STUDENTS in class at PATI.

PARENTS enrolling their children at the PNGDSSS of fi ce.

South Pac Industrial Training Solutions

2015 LATE ENROLMENT

Late Enrolment for 2015 academic year is now open and will be closed on 27th February 2015. Only Limited Spaces are available. Coarses conducted are as follows; TRADE

1.

Heavy Equipment Fitter

2. Motor Vehicle Mechanic

3. Electrical Fitter

4. Electronics Technician

5. Metal Fabricators

6. Machine Fitting & Machining

7. Auto- Electrical

8. Mining Engineering

9. Petroleum Engineering

10. Electrical/ Communication Engineering

11. Information Technology

South Pac offers trades, diploma courses

Interested applicants are to collect enrolment form immediately at our Gerehu office, stage 2, back road next to Niugini Glass office and PNG Power Housing Scheme or can request on our emails address. All application must be forwarded with K20. Processing fee. Students who have received acceptance letter must pay in 75% of total course fee or pay in full to secure your space. Students living outside of Port Moresby can enquire through our contact address to enrol.

Payment of fees has to be deposited into school accounts –BSP 1001684873 or ANZ 12678915. No accommodation is provided.

Should you require further information contact our office on the above address.

We sincerely apologise for that, since our relocation, our telephone and fax lines are not yet connected. We are temporary using the above as our contact address.

BEING fully established in 2008 after being founded in 2007, South Pac Industrial Training Solutions runs trade certificate and diploma courses to students ranging from those who have passed grade 10 and 12 and have worked in industry as well as providing short course programs for those in industry whenever required.

It is a private training provider that is recognised by the National Training Council (NTC) of PNG, the National Apprenticeship and Trade-Testing Board (NATTB) and the Department of Education.

Formerly located at Hohola when it started abck in 2008, the school last December moved to their new location at Vakari Street Gerehu, next to the Niugini Glass and Aluminium yard and opposite the PNGPower Housing Scheme compound.

Because it also runs and outsources training for diploma courses like mining engineering, petroleum engineering, electrical-communication engineering and information technology, the South Pac training syllabus is in line with guidelines set by the University of Technology in Lae.

South Pac runs a one-year trade certificate program while the diploma courses are being run over two years.

The training institution was visited this week when students who had registered were coming in for the orientation when it began on Monday.

The auto electrical trade course

was only introduced last year, according to a spokesman from the school this week.

“What we teach her at Sout Pac is generally the basics for our trade courses. And we have to meet the training requirements of the NATTB and NTC.

“We are proud that we are the fi rst recognised private training provider to be running the petroleum engineering diploma course with support and guidance from Unitech,” the spokesman said.

All the programs that are run at South Pac are technical trades oriented.

The school runs three trimesters throughout the academic year.

The trade certificate courses that are offered at South Pac are tailored for students who have completed grade 10 and 12 and also have worked for some time in that particular trade.

Diploma engineering courses are offered for grade 12 students who have studied Maths A, Physics, Chemistry, and also those who have been working in that field for more than three years. The diploma IT program is offered to students who have completed grade 12 or attained a certificate from a recognised institution, and also working in that field for more than three years.

The school plans to be fully affi liated to Unitech and it is currently in its upgrading stages of its facilities to ensure it eventually meets the requirements for affi liation to the university.

TOWARDS the end of last year Bahor Primary School in Madang Province was blessed with donations of school kits. Teachers and students were very happy to receive the material from guests who visited.

JOY FOR BAHOR PRIMARY

!! The Institute that create and Cultivate Opportunities!!

Woman jailed for abducting baby

A SOUTH Auckland woman who stole a baby from Middlemore Hospital has been jailed for 18 months.

Loni Marsh, 27, appeared in Manukau District Court today for sentencing on a raft of charges including kidnapping, which she’d earlier pleaded guilty to.

The court heard that after making “multiple false claims” about her pregnancy state, including telling people she’d given birth to triplets, was pregnant, or had miscarried, Marsh went to the hospital on the night of September 25 last year with the intent to steal a child.

She lied to midwives in the maternity care ward, telling staff she’d been sent to the hospital to have her unborn child checked. She had been asked to remain in the ward’s waiting room when she seized her opportunity, Judge Jonathan Moses said.

The baby’s mother, Elsje Pretorius, had stepped out of her room briefly for a shower when Marsh entered the room, lifted the newborn out of her cot and left the hospital.

CCTV footage showed the child being carried off by Marsh, after which she boarded a train to Manurewa.

Eight hours later police rescued the baby who was unh armed.

Today Judge Moses said the kidnapping had caused lasting effects on the Pretorius family including fear, anxiety, insomnia and a “significant” financial loss.

“[The mother] has become extremely emotional and distressed on a regular basis because of your actions,” he said.

“I accept that yours is a case in which it does not involve any deliberate intention by you to hurt the baby, or make any money from your actions. However for the reasons outlined there are still a number of aggravating features.”

Those included the baby’s

At a glance

VICTIM: A South Auckland woman who stole a baby from Middlemore Hospital has been jailed for 18 months.

CHARGES: Loni Marsh, 27, appeared in Manukau District Court today for sentencing on a raft of charges including kidnapping, which she’d earlier pleaded guilty to.

CCTV FOOTAGE: The CCTV footage showed the child being carried off by Marsh, after which she boarded a train to Manurewa.

age, Marsh’s intent, and the fact that she had other convictions, he said.

Details of Marsh’s medical history are suppressed but today Judge Moses said Marsh had repeatedly lied about being pregnant or having a miscarriage.

Marsh, who has been on remand since her arrest, stood quietly in the dock showing little emotion during the sentencing, except for a slight nod when Judge Moses said she had significant issues to address.

Neither Elsje Pretorius or her husband Conrad were in court today but after sentencing Elsje said the family wanted to put the incident behind them and were neither pleased nor disappointed with the sentencing.

“I don’t mind what happens to her really,” Pretorius said.

“My problem is the children are the ones who are having nightmares.”

She said it was difficult to feel comfortable taking her eyes off her newborn, now five months old, “but as a mother you do that automatically anyway”.

Marsh was ordered to serve a cumulative sentence of 18 months in prison, after also being convicted of theft, breaching a supervision order, driving while disqualified and failing to appear in court. -Stuff news

INDIGENOUS Australians represent about 2.5 percent of Australia’s 24 million people. Pictutre: BBC

PM calls for Indigenous progress

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said progress on improving the lives of indigenous Australians is “profoundly disappointing”.

“We are not on track to meet most of the targets,” he said, in a speech to parliament launching the seventh annual “Closing the Gap” report on the issue.

Mr Abbott said “Indigenous disadvantage” was a “challenge beyond partisan politics”.

Indigenous disadvantage was a challenge....

TONY ABBOTT Australia

But the opposition said funding cuts had worsened the divide.

Indigenous Australians

– Aboriginal and Torres

Straits Islanders – represent about 2.5 percent of the population of 24

Quick news

N-TEST REBUKE

THE New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association chairman, Roy Shelton says it is the UK and not Fiji which should be compensating Fiji’s nuclear test veterans, Radio New Zealand International reports. His comments come after the Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama announced he could no longer wait for Britain and the veterans will be paid by his government. The men are to get about US$5000 (K13,100) each. But Roy Shelton says no amount of money can compensate for the impact of the nuclear tests on veterans lives.

HOSPITAL IN CONTEMPT

THE lone hospital in the CNMI could face contempt charges over its failure to pay US$1.3 million (K3.4m) owed to the utility provider, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. In a show-cause order filing, it wants the hospital to be held in contempt for ignoring a three-month utility bill, causing the utility’s total debt to balloon to $14.7m (K39.3m), RNZI reports. The utility sued the health agency for a similar debt 14 months ago but the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation succeeded in its push to have the courts issue a temporary restraining order.

ELEPHANTS FOR NIUE

THE Niue government is preparing for the arrival of two baby elephants wh ichwill spend time in quarantine on their way from Sri Lanka to New Zealand, RNZI reports. The government secretary, Richard Hipa says the new facility is under construction on crown land in the village of Avatele and is expected to be finished by the end of this month. He says Niueans will be able to watch the elephants from a specially built viewing platform during their three month stay on the island. Hipa says the two are destined for Auckland Zoo and its staff will care for the two new companions for their current elephant, 32-year-old Burma, who has been alone since 40-year-old Kashin died in 2009.

WOMAN JUDGE NAMED

A SECOND New Zealand woman judge has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Samoa for a 12-month period. Justice Elizabeth Margret Aitken, was sworn in by the head of state, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, last Wednesday, before taking up her duties this next week, RNZI reports. The first New Zealand woman judge appointed to Samoa’s Supreme Court was Justice Ida Malosi.

TAHITI TOURISM DIP

million. Generations of discrimination and disadvantage have left them with poor health and low levels of education and employment.

The Closing the Gap steering committee was set up in 2008 and reports annually to parliament on progress.

Mr Abbott said this year’s report showed that while there had been some improvements in education and health, there was “entrenched disadvantage”.

-BBC news

TB scare at Sydney daycare centre

CHILDREN and staff at a Sydney childcare centre will undergo tests for tuberculosis after someone who had been at the centre “on a daily basis” tested positive to the disease.

New South Wales Health said 92 children and 15 workers who attended the Only About Children care centre in Surry Hills in December and January were at

risk, and all families and employees had been notified. But it said there was no ongoing risk to people at the centre, or the wider community.

It said the infected person is receiving treatment but would not confirm whether that person was a worker at the centre.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard from NSW Health said TB usually affected

the lungs and was usually spread after prolonged exposure, mostly through coughing.

“The infectious person was in the childcare centre during this period on a daily basis, so that is what is considered part of close contact: being in the same room as other people when you have infectious tuberculosis,” she said.

“Tuberculosis is a slow-moving

condition. It’s quite different to other bacterial or viral infections that progress within days or weeks.

“It’s not unusual that it takes the doctor a while to determine the diagnosis.” Dr Sheppeard said there were about 1,200 cases of TB in Australia each year, and treatment for the disease was highly effective. – ABC

A REPORT published in French Polynesia says the territory hosts fewer tourists today than it did 20 years ago. The report, published by the IEOM, says French Polynesia had more than 172,000 visitors in 1995, peaking at 230,000 in 2000, but that fell to only164,000 in 2013, bucking a trend of growth in the Pacific. The tourism sector accounts for 16 per cent of the territory’s employment, and the government is attempting to expand the market through measures such as negotiating direct flights to China to become a hub between South America and Asia, RNZI reports.

COMMONER GOVERNOR

THE King of Tonga has appointed a commoner to the position of governor of Ha’apai for the first time. Mo’ale Finau missed out in a seat in parliament by just 4 votes in last year’s elections but says he is honoured to have now been given the new post. Mr Finau says his appointment is another example of commoners finally being entrusted with responsibility and political power. “It symbolises a willingness of the King of Tonga to finally give an opportunity for the commoner to come in and join in, if they are worthy, to be governor,” RNZI reports.

EXPIRED GOODS WORRY

AMERICAN Samoa’s chamber of commerce says the department of health should be vigilant in making sure shops are not selling expired stock, following shipping delays in the United States. The chamber’s chairman, David Robinson, says some orders have been sitting at US West Coast docks waiting to be shipped and that has reduced the shelf life of some goods. Mr Robinson says there are a range of issues the territory needs to be worried about including price gouging, RNZI reports.

Singer charged with assault

KIWI-BORN Noiseworks singer Jon Stevens has been charged with assault after an incident involving his fiancee, Jodhi Meares, at the couple’s Sydney home.

He will appear in Waverly Local Court on Thursday, where police will also apply for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against him on behalf of Meares.

Rose Bay police said they received a call to attend the high profile couple’s home at Point Piper about 2am on Monday.

“The matter is under police investigation so we can’t say any more at this stage,” police said. An interim AVO was issued on the spot and prohibits Stevens, whose real name is John Stevenson, from approaching the model-turnedfashion designer for 28 days.

In a statement, police said officers were called to a property on Wolseley Road, Point Piper, following reports of a domestic argument involving a 52-year-old man and 42-year-old woman.

Officers from Rose Bay Local Area Command attended the property and spoke to the couple before arresting the man.

Stevens was taken to Waverley Police Station and charged with assault, before being released on bail to appear before Waverley Local Court on Thursday. Fairfax Media understands there are no fears for Meares’ safety. It is likely the application will be withdrawn.

Meares made headlines when she crashed her luxury four-wheel-drive into three parked cars while drink-driving in Bellevue Hill last year.

The former wife of billionaire James Packer pleaded guilty to one count of high-range drinkdriving, the result of a 0.181 blood alcohol reading taken immediately after the June 21 incident. -Stuff news

New volcano erupts

ANOTHER volcano has begun erupting out of the Pacific Ocean near Tonga.

Few details are available but state-owned Radio Tonga says pilots for the domestic airline Real Tonga have been seeing a white cloud rising 600 metres out of the sea, southwest of the northern Vava’u Islands, near Late, an unoccupied volcanic island. The area, on the western side of the Tonga Trench, is on the Pacific ringof-fire, a seismically active band of fault lines through the region. In December a large undersea volcano erupted near the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa. At several points its steam and ash blocked international air traffic. That volcano has since stopped and the large island of ash it created is now washing away. -Stuff news

Women turning to booze

MORE than 500,000 middleaged Australian women are engaging in high-risk drinking and there is insufficient help available, researchers have warned. Dubbed the “sandwich generation”, researchers described a cohort of women aged 35 to 59 drowning under the pressures of teenage children, ageing parents, work responsibilities and demanding partners. They were identified in a University of Western Sydney study which was the first to investigate the

increase in middle-aged women drinking at problem levels.

Lead researcher Dr Janice Withnall said among those sandwich generation women there were those who had limited coping abilities or nowhere else to turn and took solace in alcohol.

For 16 per cent of these women, the drinking was high-risk leading to dependence.

This equated to 624,000 women aged between 35 and 59 struggling with risky drinking or alcohol problems.

Dr Withnall said when women in this generation acknowledged they had a problem, they were often condescended to or ignored. She called for the next national alcohol strategy to include more acknowledgment of the challenges of this demographic and support. Her study showed such women could be helped if their anxiety-based triggers were identified early and they were given a multi-faceted treatment program.

-ABC news

SP SPORTS AWARDS 2015

M

FORM P

Conditions of the SP Sports Awards 2015

– Best International Performance by a male athlete in 2014

2. Female Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a female athlete in 2014

3. Team of the Year – Best International Performance by a team in 2014

4. National Performance of the Year – Best National Performance by a male athlete, female athlete, or team in 2014

5. Community Sports Initiative – Best use of sport to help address social issues at a community level in 2014

6. Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Best Performance by a male athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

7. Junior Female Athlete of the Year - Best Performance by a female athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

8. Best Sportsperson with a Disability – For athletes with a physical or intellectual disability who have performed outstandingly in 2014

9. Sports Official of the Year – For individuals who have excelled as a Coach, Referee/Umpire or Administrator in 2014

10. Sports Photo of the Year – For best photo taken in 2014 capturing a sporting moment at any level of sport

11. Sports Media Award – For media coverage of sport or a sporting event in 2014 by an individual, programme, organisation or online site

*People’s Choice of the Year - Public to be given opportunity to vote on which finalist from the first four categories they feel deserves to win this award Nominations can be submitted by anyone including national sporting associations, individual sportsmen and women, coaches, administrators, clubs, sports officials, the media and the public for any of the above awards.

The SP Sports Awards are for all sporting persons and bodies. The decision of the Awards Selection Committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Closing date for nominations in all categories of the SP Sports Awards 2015 is Wednesday 25th February, 2015.

Additional information on terms and conditions or criteria can be obtained from the:

PNG Olympic Committee Inc. on:

Telephone: (675) 323 0114 323 0108 or 71001063

Facsimile: (675) 325 1851 Email: alepani@pngoc.org.pg

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko NCD

NOMINATION DETAILS

I would like to nominate________________________________________ (name) Of _________________________________In the category of_____________________________________________________ (eg Male Athlete of the Year)

IMPORTANT

Nominations MUST include supporting documentation describing major achievements in 2014 to enhance your nomination and forward to:

PNG OLYMPIC COMMITTEE INC.

PO BOX 467, BOROKO, NCD. 111, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko. NCD

DETAILS OF PERSON NOMINATING ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Name ________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

Phone/Contact Number ______________________________________________

WOMAN holds glass of wine. Picture: ABC

Delhi to swear in anticorruption party leader

THE leader of an anti-corruption party who won a stunning victory in the Delhi state elections will be sworn in as the capital’s chief minister on Saturday.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or Common Man’s party, won 67 of the 70 assembly seats.

Mr Kejriwal himself won from the prestigious New Delhi seat, defeating his BJP rival by 31,583 votes.

The results came as a huge setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose BJP won only three seats.

Mr Modi led the BJP to a landslide win in the May general election. He has enjoyed huge popularity since taking office, winning a string of local elections and wooing international investors and world leaders.

Mr Kejriwal’s swearing-in will be held at Ramlila Maidan - a sprawling ground in Delhi often used for huge political rallies and religious congregations.

He was sworn in at the same place when AAP made a spectacular debut in the 2013 elections and resigned after 49 days in office over an ant-corruption bill.

Reports say that Mr Kejriwal has sought an appointment with Mr Modi where he is expected to invite the prime minister for Saturday’s swearing in ceremony.

Mr Modi has congratulated Mr Kejriwal and assured him of his government’s “complete support in the development of Delhi”.

It is not clear whether any ministers belonging to AAP will be also sworn in on Saturday.

The AAP was born out of a strong anti-corruption movement that swept India three years ago.

The party was routed by the BJP in last May’s general elections, months after its spectacular debut in the 2013 Delhi elections.

-BBC news

Elephant patrols protect Indonesian rainforest

TRUMON: Indonesian men ride on Sumatran elephants as they patrol though dense jungle in the west of the tropical archipelago, warriors on the front line of the fight against illegal logging and poaching.

They trek alongside rivers, over rough terrain and deep into the rainforest in an area

President firm on Bali Nine executions

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo says he won’t buckle under pressure from outsiders to reconsider clemency for drug offenders like Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

The federal government is approaching Indonesia daily to re-examine the cases of the Sydney men, who have become model prisoners since the Bali Nine arrests 10 years ago. But Mr Joko has told an audience of Muslim clerics in central Java that he won’t back down to “pressure, urges from outside”.

“I’m accustomed to being pressured, I consider that usual,” he said.

“Can you imagine, (a prisoner) has been sentenced to death, has been imprisoned, is still controlling drug business from inside the prison.

“If things like this are allowed, when will we finish solving this problem?

“Three months ago I stated, we are at war against drugs. We hope all Muslims will support this.”

The president’s comments were applauded.

The prisoner to whom he was likely referring is Nigerian Silvester Obiekwe, whom authorities consider a priority for execution after he was caught running a drug syndicate from death row.

The families and lawyers for Chan and Sukumaran are urging Indonesia to regard their very different circumstances. Since their execution was confirmed for this month, there has been a flood of testimonials about their work to help prisoners rehabilitate. Their lawyers will challenge Mr Joko’s blanket denial of clemency for drug offenders in a bid due to be filed with an administrative court late on Wednesday.

But Attorney-General HM Prasetyo says this won’t put his execution plans on hold.

that is home to numerous endangered species, from orangutans to tigers, but which has suffered devastating deforestation in recent years.

The sprawling Indonesian archipelago has large swathes of tropical forest but vast tracts are being felled to make way for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations, destroying

biodiverse habitats and adding to greenhouse gas emissions.

Much of the logging that takes place is illegal as it happens outside concessions granted to companies, but it is hard for authorities to keep track. Poaching of endangered species is also common, with elephants killed

for their ivory and tigers for their pelts.

The elephant patrol project, run with communities in the Trumon district of Aceh province, on Sumatra island, aims to give a helping hand.

It employs local men as “mahouts”, or elephant-keepers, who keep a lookout for illegal logging and poaching and re-

port it to authorities to follow up. Hendra Masrijal, 33, quit his job as a food vendor to become a mahout. He is among a group of about 25 keepers involved in the scheme, including former separatists who fought against the central government until a peace deal was struck a decade ago.

-AAP news

Chan’s brother Michael admits the situation is desperate.

“There’s no right or wrong at the moment - we’re just clutching at straws at the moment,” he told Fairfax Radio.

Mr Chan said the family never knew whether their last visit to the prison would be the last. -AAp news

Malaysia police arrest cartoonist for Anwar tweets

MALAYSIAN police have arrested a cartoonist for sedition after he condemned the judiciary for imprisoning opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar began a fire-year sentence on Tuesday for sodomising a former male aide in 2008.

ANWAR Ibrahim

Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque posted a series of tweets after the verdict accusing Prime Minister Na-

jib Razak of influencing the judiciary.

Rights groups have said sedition laws are being used to suppress dissent.

Mr Zulkiflee, 52, also known as Zunar, was arrested at his home late on Tuesday after he posted a cartoon on Twitter showing Mr Najib as the judge in Anwar’s case.

“Those in the black robes were proud when passing sentence. The rewards from

their political masters must be lucrative,” he tweeted.

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Tuesday on Twitter that authorities were also investigating two opposition politicians for sedition over comments critical of the Anwar ruling.

Human Rights Watch said Mr Najib’s government was “turning peaceful criticism into a criminal act that threatens the state,” in a statement

criticising the arrest of Mr Zulkiflee.

Anwar was accused of sodomising Saiful Bukhari Azlan who worked in his opposition campaign office.

Homosexuality, even if consensual, is a crime in Malaysia, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutions, however, are rare.

Anwar was acquitted by a High Court in 2012, but an appeals court overturned the

Corruption is the breed of greed by those who already have and want to have even more.

acquittal in March last year. His final appeal in Federal court was lost on Tuesday. Rights group inside and outside Malaysia have said the case against him is politically motivated to remove him as a threat to the ruling coalition.

The International Federation for Human Rights called the verdict “disgraceful” and a “black day” for justice.

-BBC news

ARVIND Kejriwal won a landslide win. Picture: BBC

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Bizarre animal escape drill

AN employee dressed as a snow leopard has leapt out of an enclosure at a Tokyo zoo as part of an annual animal-escape drill.

Visitors at Tama Zoological Park watched on as the disguised zookeeper managed to at first evade capture before being finally subdued by a fake tranquilliser gun.

During the escape the “snow leopard” managed to “maim” an unfortunate zookeeper, who was rushed off in an ambulance.

A similar simulation is conducted each year at alternating zoos across Tokyo to remind staff members what to do in the event of a real animal escape.

“In the event of a big earthquake, a tree could fall on a cage, or many other things could occur that may lead to an animal escape,” zoo director Yutaka Fukuda said.

“We think it is very important, and it is our responsibility to carry it out with seriousness.”

Previous animal costumes used as part of the drill have included zebra, rhino, lion and orangutan outfits. -ABC news

100-car-pile-up kills two

SEOUL: A 100-vehicle pileup in fog on the highway to South Korea’s largest international airport has killed two people and injured 43, including five foreign nationals, police said.

The multiple collision on Wednesday occurred in heavy fog on the Seoul-bound lane

of a bridge that forms part of the main expressway linking Incheon airport with the capital.

The pile-up appeared to have been started when a limousine ran into the back of a car, an Incheon police station spokesman said.

“More than 100 vehicles

were involved,” he said, adding that the foggy conditions meant drivers could only see 15 metres in front of them.

Five foreigners were among the 43 injured, but their nationalities were not immediately released, the spokesman added.

TV footage showed emer-

gency rescue workers trying to access the mass of twisted and crumpled wrecks on the fog-covered bridge.

“I heard a series of bangs in front of me. Then I was rearended by a following car. I felt my car turning around and hitting a protection rail.

I then lost consciousness”, a

cab driver, Yoo Sang-Young, told the Yonhap news agency.

Another driver said the thick fog had prevented him from seeing the danger ahead.

“I slowed down but still rammed into the cars piled up in front of me,” he said.

TransAsia to compensate victims families

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s TransAsia Airways has announced it will pay nearly more than $600,000 in compensation to relatives of each of the victims of a dramatic plane crash earlier this month.

The offer of $Tw14.9 million ($609,294) for each family comes seven months after the airline made a similar

payout to the families of 48 passengers killed in another crash last July.

TransAsia Airways Flight GE235 crashed on Wednesday last week shortly after take-off from Songshan airport in Taipei with 53 passengers and five crew on board, killing at least 42.

Amateur dramatic dash-

cam images showed the illfated plane hitting an elevated road as it banked steeply away from buildings before crashing into the Keeling River.

One person remains missing after two more bodies were retrieved from the freezing waters on Wednesday.

“We offered an amount of Tw$14.9 million as compensation for each person who died in the accident. We hope to reach a settlement with the families,” a TransAsia spokeswoman said. The compensation deal is the result of closed-door discussions held in Taipei Wednesday with representa-

Coastguard officer in jail for ferry disaster

A SOUTH Korean coastguard ship commander has been jailed for four years on manslaughter charges related to last year’s Sewol ferry disaster which killed more than 300 people.

tives from some of the families.

“We can fully understand that it would be hard for the families to accept it immediately. Still we hope the representatives could take the proposal back and take it into consideration,” the spokeswoman said.

-AAP news

China detains Canadian over secrets

CHINA says it is holding a Canadian man on suspicion of stealing state secrets but has released his wife on bail.

Kevin and Julia Garratt, a Christian couple, run a coffee shop in Dandong on the North Korean border.

They were seized by investigators six months ago. State media said then that they were suspected of stealing secrets about defence and the military.

Canada says it is “very concerned” about the case and will continue to pursue it.

“While we welcome the recent decision to release Julia Garratt, the government of Canada remains very concerned with the detention of Mr Garratt,” Reuters quoted a statement from office of Junior Foreign Minister Lynne Yelich as saying.

“We have raised the case at the highest levels and will continue to raise it with senior officials.”

At a press conference on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Kevin Garratt had been

placed in criminal detention

“on the charge of spying and stealing state secrets”.

Julia Garratt had been granted bail pending trial, he said. “The relevant case is under investigation. The Chinese government will protect their lawful rights and interests in accordance with law,” Mr Hong added.

In a statement, a lawyer for the family said that the couple had not been formally arrested or charged, and “no evidence of any crime” had been presented. -BBC news

The court in the southern city of Gwangju found Kim Kyung-il guilty of professional negligence resulting in death, a court spokesman said. Prosecutors said Kim, whose vessel was the first on the scene as the Sewol listed and sank, bore responsibility for the botched rescue effort that wasted precious time and delayed the evacuation of passengers from the stricken ferry.

He was also charged with making a false report that he had broadcast an evacuation order through loudspeakers.

The overloaded and unstable Sewol was carrying 476 people when it capsized off the southern island of Jindo last April. Of the 304 who died, 250 were students from the same high school.

The tragedy - blamed by many on regulatory failings, official incompetence and the ship’s illegal redesign - plunged the nation into a lengthy period of mourning.

The official response to the disaster was widely criticised for being slow, uncoordinated and unfocused and prompted president Park Geun-hye to vow an overhaul of national safety standards.

-ABC news

ZOO keepers catch an employee wearing a snow leopard suit during a drill at a Tokyo zoo.

Picture: ABC/AFP

JULIA and Kevin Garratt (centre) with their children Peter and Hannah. Their second son Simeon is not pictured.

Picture: BBC

The bottom line

US army to withdraw troops from Ebola mission

THE United States military plans to pull most of its forces from West Africa where troops are helping to contain the deadly Ebola outbreak, US officials say.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby announced that nearly all of the 1,300 troops would return by April 30, ending a five-month mission.

In a statement, he said a small team of about 100 troops will remain in the region to help with the ongoing response.

The number of new cases each week dropped to about 150 in recent reports, down from more than 1,000 new cases per week in October, the White House said.

ON DUTY IN SNOW

PHOTOGRAPHER Bruce Myren adjusts his view camera in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to the US National Weather Service, the past 30-days have been the snowiest in Boston’s recorded history. Picture: BBC

Obama discusses cyber issue with China’s leader

US president Barack Obama has called for “swift work” to narrow the differences between his country and China on cyber issues, during a call with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

The world’s two biggest economies have been trying to ease tensions amid mutual accusations of hacking and cyber theft.

The White House said during the call Mr Obama also stressed his commitment to

OFFICIALS White House

reach an investment treaty that could redefine bilateral trade ties.

Officials said Mr Obama

“reiterated his commitment to pursue a high-standard and comprehensive bilateral investment treaty”.

“The president encouraged China to continue its move toward consumption-led growth and a market-determined exchange rate,” officials said.

The treaty is still a work in progress but could make trade considerably easier between the world’s two largest economies.

Mr Obama also told Mr Xi

he looked forward to welcoming him to Washington for a state visit later this year.

Xinhua news agency is reporting Mr Xi will visit the US in September.

The White House added that “the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate closely on security challenges, including by jointly encouraging Iran to seize the historic opportunity presented by P5+1 negotiations”.

The nuclear talks with the

US, Russia, China, Britain and France are aimed at clinching an accord that would ease Western concerns that Tehran could pursue a convert nuclear weapons program, in return for the lifting of sanctions that have ravaged the Iranian economy.

Negotiators have set a June 30 final deadline for an accord, and Western officials have said they aim to agree on the substance of that deal by March. -ABC news

“We are encouraged by the declining number of new Ebola cases in West Africa, but remain concerned about a recent increase in cases in Guinea, and an inability to further reduce case counts in Sierra Leone,” it said in a statement.

“Moreover, given that a single case can lead to flare-ups of the virus, we must not lose focus.”

At the height of the epidemic, about 2,800 US military personnel were deployed to West Africa.

Troops built 10 Ebola treatment units and a medical unit to treat infected healthcare workers.

At least 10 people are known to have been treated for Ebola in the United States, four of them diagnosed with the disease on US soil.

Only two people are known to have contracted the virus in the US - both of them nurses who treated an Ebola patient from Liberia who became sick and died in Dallas. US president Barack Obama secured more than $5.4 billion from Congress to fight the disease in West Africa and at home.

Some of those funds are being used to support the development of Ebola vaccines and therapeutic drugs.

-ABC news

US confirms death of last US Islamic State hostage

UNITED States president Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Kayla Jean Mueller — who was taken hostage by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria — and vowed to hunt her captors.

“No matter how long it takes, the United States will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible for Kayla’s captivity and death,” he said in a statement.

The 26-year-old Arizona aid worker was seized in Aleppo in August 2013.

Last week IS claimed she had been killed in a Jordanian air strike in the Syrian city

The bottom line

of Raqa, the militant group’s proclaimed “capital”.

That account was treated with scepticism, but over the weekend IS sent Mueller’s parents a “private message” with “additional information”, that allowed the intelligence services to confirm her death, the White House and family said.

“Over the weekend, the family received a private message from Kayla’s ISIL captors containing additional information,” White House national security council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said.

“Once this information was authenticated by the in-

telligence community, they concluded that Kayla was deceased.”

The Washington Post reported that Mueller’s family had been sent a photograph of their daughter’s body. Mueller was believed to be the last US hostage being held by IS, following the execution of AFP contributor James Foley and American-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff.

In a statement read out by her aunt Lori Lyon, Mueller’s parents Carl and Marsha Mueller expressed their heartbreak but said they were proud of her and the humanitarian work she did.

“We are so proud of the person Kayla was and the work that she did while she was here with us,” they said.

“She lived with purpose, and we will work every day to honour her legacy.

“Our hearts are breaking for our only daughter, but we will continue on in peace, dignity, and love for her.”

In a letter from captivity in early 2014 — which was partially redacted — Muller said she was “completely unharmed” by her captors but heavy-hearted about the toll it must be taking on her family.

-ABC news

There is no better place to hide from someone than to get lost in a crowd, thus hostages are a leeway for terrorists.

US president Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Kayla Jean Mueller. Picture: ABC/AFP

Obama reiterates his vow to pursue investment treaty ...

Europe’s IXV mini spaceplane set to fly

EUROPE is all set to launch its mini ‘spaceplane’ demonstrator.

The unmanned Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) will launch atop a Vega rocket from South America, fly east around the globe, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

The wedge-shaped craft is designed to gather information on how space objects fall back to Earth.

Engineers could use the data to inform a range of future technologies from re-usable rockets to Mars landers.

Lift-off for the Vega from French Guiana is timed for 10:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

It will throw the IXV to an altitude of 450km, from where the European Space Agency

At a glance

LAUNCHING: Europe is all set to launch its mini ‘spaceplane’ demonstrator.

SPACEPLANE The unmanned Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) will launch atop a Vega rocket from South America, fly east around the globe, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

PURPOSE:The wedge-shaped craft is designed to gather information on how space objects fall back to Earth.

DATA USAGE: Engineers could use the data to inform a range of future technologies from re-usable rockets to Mars landers.

DATA DUMP: The IXV will start its data dump the moment it clears the descent’s radio blackout phase, which occurs when the vehicle is enveloped by the hot plasma created during high-speed re-entry.

(Esa) test article will then begin its rapid descent.

By the time it re-enters the atmosphere, the craft should be moving at 7.5km/s. As it pushes up against the air, the temperatures on its leading surfaces will soar to 1,700C.

Flaps and thrusters will be used to control the trajectory, ensuring the IXV comes down close to a recovery ship some 3,000km west of the Galapagos Islands.

A parachute system deployed in the very late stages of the

flight will put the two-tonne vehicle gently in the water. Floatation balloons will come out to stop it from sinking.

Beginning to end, the complete mission is expected to last approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

Europe’s expertise on re-entry technologies is more limited than, say, the US or Russia. Something it wants to change with the help of the IXV.

Esa’s project manager Giorgio Tumino told BBC News: “Europe is excellent at going to orbit; we have all the launchers, for example. We also have great knowhow in operating complex systems in orbit. But where we are a bit behind is in the knowledge of how to come back from orbit. So, if we are to close the circle - go to orbit, stay in orbit,

Censored MH17 documents released

NETHERLANDS: The Dutch government has released dozens of documents about the aftermath of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, but much of the information has been redacted.

come back from orbit - this third leg we need to master as well as other spacefaring nations.”

Europe has produced one or two re-entry capsule systems in the past, but the IXV’s complex “lifting body” is new territory.

The vehicle is packed with sensors. Their data will feed back into materials research and into the computer models used to describe the energetic physics that occurs when an object plunges through atmospheric gases at hypersonic speeds.

The IXV will start its data dump the moment it clears the descent’s radio blackout phase, which occurs when the vehicle is enveloped by the hot plasma created during highspeed re-entry. -BBC news

One Dutch broadcaster that requested the information be made public, RTL News, said on Tuesday it would protest about the number of redactions and take the government to court if necessary to compel it to reveal more details.

RTL’s deputy editor, Pieter Klein, says on the broadcaster’s website: “We want the relevant facts so that a serious reconstruction can be made of the Cabinet’s performance” after the crash.

MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 people on board.

Among those killed were 38 Australian citizens and residents. Dutch crash investigators and police are probing the cause, which is believed to be a surface-toair missile strike.

Families of girls switched at birth get payout

A COURT has ordered a private clinic in the Riviera city of Cannes to pay out €400,000 (NZ$610,850) each to two 20-year-old girls accidentally switched at birth and given to the wrong parentspart of a €1.88-million (NZ$2.87m) payment to members of the two families.

The clinic’s lawyer, Sophie Chas, said she wasn’t immediately certain whether an appeal would be lodged against Tuesday’s (local time) decision by the court in Grasse.

Chas said the court ordered payments by the Clinica Jourdan and an insurance company

of €300,000 for each of three parents involved in the case and €60,000 for three brothers and sisters.

“I am perfectly satisfied (with the ruling) because responsibility within the medical chain was acknowledged,” the lawyer for the victims, Gilbert Collard, said. The families had sought a total of €12 million (NZ$18.3 million), but had little hope of obtaining that amount, he said.

A nurse’s assistant had accidentally given baby Manon Serrano, who was in an incubator, to another mother after her birth in July 1994, and given the

infant next to her to Sophie Serrano.

Three years later, Manon’s hair grew curly and her skin olivetoned - unlike either parent. Her father separated from Sophie Serrano after village rumours spread about the young girl being “the postman’s daughter”. In 2004, DNA tests showed that Manon was the daughter of neither of them. An investigation was launched and their biological child was located - some 30 kilometres away.

Sophie Serrano, who raised Manon, expressed relief that the error was at last acknowledged.

-Stuff news

A SILVER Anglo-Saxon coin hoard containing about 5,200 items was discovered in Lenborough, Buckinghamshire, in December last year and is now on show at the British Museum.

Picture: BBC

BRITISH MUSEUM DISPLAY

MANON Serrano, one of two women switched at birth more than 20 years ago, and her mother Sophie Serrano,at their home after the verdict. Picture: Stuff.co.nz

Embassies closed in Yemen

THE United States and United Kingdom have closed their embassies in Yemen and evacuated staff, after the Shiite Muslim militia that grabbed power in Sanaa warned against attempts to “destabilise” the country.

The US state department said it made the decision to shut the US embassy “due to the deteriorating security situation in Sanaa”. It also advised US citizens to leave, citing: “the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest”.

200 migrants die in sinking

MORE than 200 migrants are dead after the motorboats they were travelling on sank in the Mediterranean Sea, the UN’s refugee agency says.

“Nine were saved after four days at sea. The other 203 were swallowed by the waves,” UNHCR’s spokeswoman in Italy, Carlotta Sami, said on Twitter.

She called the situation a “horrible and enormous tragedy”.

On Monday, at least 29 migrants died after the inflatable boat carrying them overturned in high seas.

Seven were already dead when they were picked up near the Italian island of Lampedusa, and a further 22 succumbed to hypothermia after spending more than 18 hours on the open deck of the vessel which picked them up.

The International Organization for Migration says the two boats involved in the latest tragedy to befall migrants bound for Europe crossing the Mediterranean Sea had departed from the Libyan coast on Saturday.

-BBC news

Niger approves anti-Boko Haram force

NIGER’S parliament has voted to send troops to Nigeria to join the fight against militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

The vote took place after Boko Haram attacked a prison and detonated a car bomb on Monday in the town of Diffa, near Niger’s border with Nigeria.

MPs said parliament unanimously authorised deploying 750 soldiers with a regional force battling Boko Haram.

The Boko Haram has increasingly drawn in Nigeria’s neighbours.

On Saturday Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin agreed to establish a 7,800-strong force to fight the group.

Boko Haram launched its first attacks in Niger last week, and has vowed to create an Islamic state.

Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou, a Muslim, vowed to defeat Boko Haram.

-BBC news

We will continue to work to stabilise Yemen for all ...

TOBIAS ELLWOOD UK

The UK also said it had decided to temporarily withdraw its diplomatic staff and suspend operations of its embassy in Sanaa.

“We continue to believe that a stable, united, democratic

and prosperous Yemen is the best future for the country,” minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, said.

“We will continue to work internationally to help Yemen achieve a legitimate, transparent political transition in which all Yemenis are represented.”

Yemen has failed to achieve stability since long-time president Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in early 2012 after a bloody year-long popular uprising.

It is battling an Al Qaeda insurgency and facing a separa-

tist movement in the formerly independent south.

Matters worsened in September when the Houthi militia, fearful of being marginalised by a proposed new constitution, seized control of the capital and began pushing southward into Sunni Muslim areas.

That drew fierce resistance from tribes and from Al Qaeda.

The Houthi leader Abdel Malik al-Houti said “it is in the interests of everyone, both inside and outside the country, that Yemen be sta-

ble”. “The interests of those who bet on chaos and want to hurt the economy and security of the people will suffer,” he said.

He also sought to reassure diplomats after reports that some embassies in Sanaa intended to close for security reasons.

“Some people are raising concerns among diplomatic missions so that they flee the country,” he said, adding that “these fears are unfounded”.

“The security situation is stable.” -ABC news

Nigeria to probe camp abuses

NIGERIA is to investigate reports of rapes, child trafficking and other abuses in camps for people fleeing from the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

The country’s National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) has formed a panel to investigate the abuses.

A spokesperson for Nema told the BBC that investigators would visit every camp for displaced people.

Approximately 3.2 million Nigerians have fled their homes to escape Boko Haram’s insurgency in the northeast.

Nema’s investigation is a response to a report published by Nigeria’s Calabar-based International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).

The report, written by freelance journalist Charles Dickson, alleges that hundreds of young girls have been trafficked from internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Many victims were from unregistered, makeshift camps established when official camps could no longer cope, the report says.

It quotes an unnamed nurse as saying many children were brought to her hospital after being raped in the IDP camps. It also alleges refugees are being sold as unpaid domestic workers, raped repeatedly, and in some cases burned and wounded with knives.

FOOTBALL FEVER FALLOUT

A spokesperson for Nema told the BBC that the allegations were “very grievous”. Ezikial Manzo said that the report published by the ICIR was the first Nema had heard of abuses at the camps and that its panel would “do everything in their power” to investigate. Mr Manzo said that representatives from the ICIR had been invited to join the investigators as they toured the camps. He was not able to say how many camps there are, as many have been set up unofficially to cope with the millions of refugees.

-BBC news

Poachers kill rare elephants in Mali

A RARE population of elephants in northern Mali is being targeted by poachers, threatening its survival, a wildlife official has said.

Authorities believe 19 Gourma elephants have been killed for their tusks in the past month. There are estimated to be just 350-500 of the group left.

Poaching has been linked in the past to rebel groups in the region, who have connections to smuggling rings.

The Gourma elephants migrate around 600km (370 miles) a year to feed.

Because of the sparse vegetation in northern Mali they

have a long-distance migration pattern that runs into Burkina Faso and Niger.

On Tuesday, Colonel Soumana Timbo of the government’s nature conservation division asked MPs to provide military support to protect the species.

Mr Timbo told the BBC that the small number of rangers assigned to the region were already risking their lives.

“In the Gourma zone there is total insecurity. We have about 10 rangers covering about 1.25 million hectares, so it’s quite insufficient,” Mr Timbo said.

“If we send out two rangers

on a motorbike they are risking their lives. So we really need joint patrols - military and rangers - and we need to focus all our efforts on stopping this massacre.”

Northern Mali has been a flashpoint of conflict since Mali’s independence from French rule in 1960, with the Tuareg rebels campaigning for independence or more autonomy.

The region has been further destabilised by the emergence of jihadi groups including alQaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has targeted both the government and the rebels. -BBC news

OFFICIALS say more patrols are needed to protect the elephants. Picture: BBC

The Egyptian authorities suspended football league matches indefinitely after clashes at a stadium in Cairo left at least 22 people dead. People were crushed after police fired tear gas at supporters of Zamalek who were trying to force their way in for a match against city rivals ENPPI. Picture:

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 2x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 6 inclusive

Solution to puzzle SL0850

stars

March 20 - April 19

Trusting your intuition is one thing. That;s easy and, in fact, it guides you well in all sorts of potentially tricky situations. Explaining this to others can sometimes be difficult, which is especially the case now. Do your best. Then back off, and give them time to think about it.

April 20 - May 19

Between the confusion triggered Mercury;s retrograde cycle, which has just come to an end, and recent sudden changes, you;re both exhausted and unsure whatÕs next. Tempting as it is to sort things out now, take a break. At least wait until the dust has settled before you begin making plans.

May 21 - June 20

If you;re unhappy with existing arrangements or, equally, want to discuss alternatives before settlings on new plans, do so. Others may be impatient. Discuss options but diplomatically refuse to commit. True, this seems urgent. It;s not. In fact, once next weekÕs dramatic changes arise, everyone will be thankful you ensured arrangements remained flexible.

June 21 - July 21

Be wary of listening too much to the complaints of others. While you can;t ignore them, equally, you can;t afford to let their negative take on certain situations influence you. The trick is to discuss their concerns, but keep it brief, and then move on to other less worrying matters.

July 22 - August 22

Time spent with close friends or loved ones isn;t just fun, it can restore your good humour and your faith in humanity. This is, therefore, exactly what you need to do, and before you tackle any more of the tedious post-Mercury retrograde dilemmas. They;re important but, still, they can wait a day.

August 23 - September 22

Ordinarily you’re the first to spot and deal with a problem. Yet in one particular situation, you’re not only stubbornly refusing to make changes, you deny issues exist. That’s because you care a lot, and want everything to be perfect. DonÕt be stubborn. Tackle those minor dilemmas now, while you can.

September 23 - October 22

Don’t make the mistake of assuming arrangements made with others will be kept as first agreed. This is, of course, in part because Mercury’s retrograde cycle is just ending. But, equally, not everybody has the same attitude about what’s planned as you do and, in fact, many are far more casual.

October 23 - November 22

Although you’ve no fear of an out and out dispute, resolving issues in less dramatic manner gives you more control over what’s said and, ultimately, what’s agreed. Still, it may not be until you confront others that you’ll have any idea what they feel and truly have in mind doing.

November 23 - December 22

Watching both existing plans and those you’ve organised recently come undone may be a disappointment. However, these are clearing the way for the remarkable events, some familiar and others new, promised by early March’s stunning alliance between your ruler Jupiter and the inventive Uranus. What arises will be life-changing.

December 21 - January 19

At the moment, breakthroughs would be welcome but seem unlikely. Still, within a short time, that’s exactly what’s coming your way. These will take the form of exciting ideas or completely unexpected offers. Whatever the case, they’ll be surprising enough that, initially, you might not take them seriously.

January 20 - February 17

For ages you’ve been thinking to yourself that certain activities and even certain relationships are increasingly unrewarding. Yet you haven’t been ready to do anything about it. You will be, but probably not until the end of the month. Until then, be conscious that soon things will be very different.

February 18 - March 19

Is there anything you’ve been meaning to say or do but haven’t? Aim to take action on any such matters while you’re still benefiting from the presence of the charming Venus and courageous Mars in Pisces, where they remain until the 20th. List those tasks and tackle them before then.

NATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE

Saturday, February 14

Bomana Police College, Port Moresby

Round 4- Fixtures

11:30 - Admiralty FC v Hekari United FC

2:00 - FC Port Moresby v Oro FC

Saturday, February 14 Laiwaden Oval Madang

3:00 - Madang FC v Lae City Dwellers Bye - Besta PNG United DARTS PORT MORESBY

Round 4- Fixtures

Venue: Elcom Club

Saturday, February 14

1.00 Porolarch v Zulu

2

1.00 Lausuala v Sankamap 2

1.00 Tairox v Moonbi

1.00 Zulu 1 v Seal 6

1.00 Frens v Wizards

1.00 Black Robes v Hone Darts 1

1.00 Hone Darts 2 v Sankamap 1

1.00 Goldie Natnats v Darkom 1

All draws are published at no cost. Handwritten and typed draws must be faxed to 320 1781 or dropped off by TUESDAY afternoon or emailed to sport@spp.com.pg or ajack@spp.com.pg or emanuai@spp.com.pg, jpangkatana@spp.com.pg by WEDNESDAY noon.

Osborne gives wrap up for 7s performance

RUGBY UNION

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) board director Graham Osborne said the sevens team were just not in the same class as the others at last weekend’s Wellington Sevens.

Osborne who stood-in as team manager said the players played their hearts out but could not match professionally trained core teams on the World Sevens Series Circuit.

“The stakes were much higher in this tournament with spots for Olympic qualification also up for grabs,” he said.

“When you see France and Argentina playing off in the Bowl, then you know the stakes are high,” he said.

Osborne the PNG team is young and inexperienced at this level. “They certainly experienced first hand what it is like to play at this level,” he said.

He said in the opening two matches against England and New Zealand they held well but physically were gone by the third match.

“They were practically beaten up but not for the sake of trying,” he said.

He said the intensity of the game was beyond them and by the second day they were physically gone.

Osborne said the team had an interrupted preparation but have to be given credit for making the qualification after eight to nine years of past teams being turned away.

“This team represents the future with the selection of players down at the district throughout all playing centres,” he said.

“Only two players played

UK pro surf team visits

Tupira surf club

SURFING

BY KILA NAO

at this level and I think it’s a bit harsh for people to knock them down this early,” he added.

Osborne said squad has been re-looked at and replacements are being made, including a new management following the 11th hour departure of coach Fereti Verebula.

He said Verebula resigned and said he was returning back to Fiji due to personal reasons.

He added that the squad is back in camp and are preparing for the Borneo Sevens later this month and then the Hong Kong tournament next month as part of their buildup to the Pacific Games.

In regards to criticism that has enraged from the weekend, he said it was premature to single out this performance.

A GROUP of Pro surf team from United Kingdom were recently in the country for marketing and promoting surfing at the Tupira surf club in Madang. Surfing Association PNG president and Co founder, Andrew Abel accompanied the group to Madang which included the United Kingdom short board male champion, Allan Stokes, Founder of Waves for Freedom and big wave female surfer from Ireland Dr Easky Britton, UK female surfer Celine Gehret, James Paddok and Freddy Holland.

Abel said “As SAPNG prepares to mark its 28 years since the foundation in 2015 at promoting and developing its cutting edge approach in the sport of surfing and surf tourism with its home grown Surf management plan,” “SAPNG has also embarked on its new pink nose empowerment and anti violence against women program, with support coming from all levels of society in PNG and overseas” said Abel.

During the week long surf promotional event in Tupira surf club, Ulingan Bay Bogia district, Supreme court judge and patron of Tupira Surf club, Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, was present along with over 800 local people from Tavulte, Tupira, Simbeni, Rurunat and Suaru to receive

the 22 donated surfing boards from SAPNG.

During the ceremony, Abel and Justice Kirriwom spoke about the work of SAPNG and Tupira surf club in empowering the communities of Madang after six years since establishing the Club under Justice Kirriwom’s, leadership.

PNG 7s players Eugene Tokavai ans Henry Liliket in the change rooms during the Wellington Sevens last week.

Hunters splash

THE SP Hunters have been hard at training for weeks in preparation for their Queensland Intrust Super Cup trial match against the Ipswich Jets in Brisbane on February 20.

Coach Michael Marum said they meet the trial will prepare them for their first competition match against the South Logan Magpies on March 8 also in Brisbane.

The Hunters have been preparing for the past two months at the Kalabond Stadium in Kokopo, where their home-base is. Their training sessions also include weekly recovery sessions at the Rapopo Plantation Resort pool. Pictured are the players during their recovery session yesterday.

Softball looking for a venue

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA SOFTBALL

Softball is in dire need of a playing field after their request for the use of the University of Papua New Guinea oval was turned down

This has thrown the sport into disarray with the men and women national train-on squads for the XV Pacific Games in training at the Institute of Public Administration.

PNG Softball Federation president Chris Bais said that such a problem will lead players to seriously drop their performance on and off the field and will jeopardize their training and this will affect the chances of retaining the gold medal.

A squad of 50 is training under father and son team of Kenneth and Jerrymah Selu.

Currently with no proper season of softball in the nation’s capital, the

players will have to look into training themselves, said Bais.

Bais said two international tournaments coming up will select the final 17 for both men and women’s team, with five non travelling reserves.

“The tournament will be held in Queensland with the women travelling in March while the men in April,” he said.

“Other centers like Rabaul, Lae and Madang have begun their sea-

son but because of the Games, Port Moresby season has not begun. However this should not deter the players from training,” added Bais. Also in doubt will be the Easter Championships which was slated for Port Moresby.

“In regards to the championships, with no venue the federation will sit down and look at other venues, but there is a possibility the games will be moved to Lae,” Bais said.

“There were hopes the 2015 facilities would be available so the team could get to know the venue but with work still continuing, we will have to look for other alternatives,” Bais added.

The training camp for the squad will end on Friday with the final team named before the end of this month in time to be delivered to the Justification committee for the Pacific Games.

PNG Palais backed by Heritage Niugini

BY JOE GURINA RUGBY UNION

THE Papua New Guinea Palais women’s rugby union team yesterday received a hefty K100, 000 backing from the Heritage Niugini Ltd for their preparations for the Asia Pacific Sevens in Borneo slated for February 28 to March 1. This is the fourth sponsorship assistance from the company.

The financial backing yes-

terday unfolded with the challenge for the women to bring back the spoils from the tournament that would be held in the Suda Kahn city of Malaysia in March.

Heritage Niugini general manager Jenni Lean said during the presentation that the onus is on the team to utilise the assistance with their preparations for the tournament ahead them.

Team captain Kymlie Karani thanked the company and re-

sponded that the money had come in timely for the preparations and added the girls would repay with positive results.

Lean highlighted that the continuous support the team received from the company was basically to help women achieve their endeavours.

“We are proud to back the team again this year as these young women are always in the forefront in putting the country on the public arena” Lean added.

Heritage Niugini general manager Jenni Lean presents cheque to the PNG Palais.

Games acquit funds

PNG Pukpuks camp in Pom

FROM BACKPAGE

WESLEY said the Marcus is amongst a host former PNG Under 20 players that have progressed to their respective senior club competitions and are now littered in the senior squad.

“The PNGRFU pathway is not an overnight thing and all our players have been monitored for the past 10 years,” he added.

Wesley said due to the vibrant competition at the rural level, the current trainon squad has players from Goroka, Lae, Daru, Rabaul, Kavieng and Australia including the National Capital District.

He said the long-term goal is the FORU Cup that PNG is hosting again in August in Port Moresby.

Team manager John Havora said there are 42 players in camp. Following a trial on Saturday 28 will be indentified to take part in the Hong Kong 10’s and a Test match against Singapore in March and April,” he said.

“Those that don’t make the cut will remain in the squad and following the tour players will be assessed and if changes are necessary, then they will be made to suit prior to August,” he added.

The venue for the trial match is yet to be decided.

PACIFIC GAMES

BY JOE GUIRNA

THE Pacific Games infrastructure acquittal report for K100 million was presented to the Finance Minister James Marape yesterday.

Witnessed by the local media, Minister for Sports and Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko handed over the report during a presentation at Parliament House.

The funds were released to the Sports Ministry in December last year through the supplementary budget to be utilised on the XV Pacific Games infrastructures in Port Moresby.

Marape commended Minis-

At a glance

ACQUITTAL: Games infrastructure acquittal report for K100 million was presented to the Finance Minister James Marape yesterday.

WITNESS: Witnessed by the local media, Minister for Sports and Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko handed over the report during a presentation at Parliament House.

FUNDS:Funds were released to the Sports Ministry in December last year.

ter Tkatchenko for handing in the acquittal report in a timely manner.

Marape said the Sports Minister had worked tirelessly to deliver within a short period of time and the presentation of the report was a comfort to the O’Neill-Dion Government’s trust with his leadership at the fore.

Tkatchenko said his office had been tasked by the National Government to do prompt monthly acquittals of K80 million for contract payments to contractors working on the infrastructures.

“This will get updated in due course,” he added.

He said the government was spending billions of kina to-

wards the Pacific Games infrastructures and it was in the best interest for the public to know how the money was used adding that accountability was a paramount task he had endured. Marape said the government would have spent K1.5 billion in total on infrastructures by the end of the construction phase. He revealed that the Pacific Games infrastructures would gain big turnovers in economic benefit to the government through tax incomes.

“The Pacific Games is an economic activity and would stimulate the economy of the country and that is why the O’Neill-Dion government is investing heavily on the

Games infrastructures,” Marape said. He further stressed that the government needed to own all construction sectors for the benefit of economic gain during and after the Pacific Games.

Pacific Games Venues Infrastructure and Equipment Committee vice-chairperson Mel Donald chimed in to say that 16 schools in the nation’s capital would have their infrastructures renovated to cater for some of the sports during the Pacific Games.

She further confirmed that a total of K1.2 billion would be allocated by the government for the projects throughout all selected schools.

Rivan impresses in 200m sprint

ATHLETICS

JOHN Rivan has started the indoor track season in great form with a scintillating 6.84 seconds and followed this up with an impressive 22.26 seconds for the 200m at Grinnell University, Iowa in USA last Saturday.

Former sprint star, Peter Pulu set the record of 6.79 seconds at the 1995 World Indoor Championships in Barcelona and later that year broke Takale Tuna’s 100m record of 10.60 seconds with a time of 10.40 secs in Germany dur-

ing the lead up to the World Championships in Gothenburg. 21 year old Rivan burst onto the scene as a 15 year old at the 2008 National Championships in Lae when he was a runaway winner in all three sprinting events.

Theo Piniau is also coming into good form in the 400m posting a time of 50.30 seconds, compared to the 51.05 he ran at the same Meet last year. Another athlete in good form in the USA is nineteen year old Adrine Monagi who is posting impressive performances in a range of events as

she prepares for the Heptathlon. Monagi ran a personal best 7.71 seconds for the 60m in both the heats and the final and followed this up with a huge PB of 9.16 seconds in the 60m hurdles.

She also cleared 1.57m in the high jump and joined her team mates in the 4*400m relay to cap off another busy day. Meanwhile a number of PNG athletes were in action in Brisbane at the Glynis Nunn Shield event on Saturday evening. Donna Koniel set a new personal best of 2min 12.36 seconds in the

800m and Mowen Boino got his 2015 campaign off to a good start by running away with the 400m hurdles in an impressive time of 52.37 seconds.

Toea Wisil and Miriam Peni both won their 200m races in impressive fashion and Betty Burua ran the 400m hurdles for the first time since the 2013 Pacific Mini Games.

Coach Glynis Nunn was far from impressed with Burua’s hurdling technique however her current fitness enabled her to set a personal best for this event of 61.02 seconds.

The train on squad: Kenneth David (EHP), Misiel Silas, Wesley Thomas, Bomai Kaupa (NCD) - props, Rabbie Namaliu Jnr (Australia), Sam Tam (NCD), Danny Saho (EHP) – hookers, John Epharaim, Richard Gebob (Mor), Tui Fitiao, Ahulo Otio, Allan Kapinas (NCD), Lloyd Kepa (Daru) – locks, Hosea Alfred (ENB), Emerson Buidal (Mad), Iose Dabu (Daru), Jeremy Keveu (NCD), Clifford Vali, Cameron Wai (Mor), Jonathan Baul (Kav) – backrow, Liebert Suang, Eugene Tovue (NCD) – scrum-half, Titus Longuni, Paul Nelson, Jonah Kautu Jnr (NCD) – flyhalf, Issac Chandrol (Mor), Emmanuel Havora. Jedaiah Katal, Velu Makarai (NCD), Stanley Maravai, Kirarok Ngaffin, David Punian (ENB), Thomas James (Daru), Richard Aitsi (Australia) – centres, Tisa Kautu, James Lumaris, Adek Naio, Jacob Wodo, Johnson Langogo (NCD), Caspar Kwalu (Mad), Jackie Marcus, Darren William (Kav).

JOHN Rivan

The fastest mile for a woman was set by Russia’s Svetlana Masterkova, her time was 4:12.56 – the run was in 1996.

MINISTER for Sports and Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko handed over the report to Finance

Minister James Marape during a presentation at Parliament

Pukpuks shot

Agmark Gurias star Jackie Marcus is among 42 players vying for the Singapore tour

Pukpuk coach Sydney Wesley said Marcus is a rugby union product that we produced before he switched codes to rugby league.

“If he makes the grade then he will be in for his second shot at the Pukpuks, but this time at the senior level,” he added.

RUGBY UNION

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

AGMARK Gurias star fullback Jackie Marcus (pictured in training yesterday) is amongst a host of hopefuls vying for a spot in the Papua New Guinea Pukpuk team.

Marcus, a former PNG Under 20 Pukpuk tourist of Moscow, was identified by the PNG Rugby Football union (PNGRFU) to undergo a one-week training camp at the PNG Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in Port Moresby this week.