Post Courier, Wednesday March 2, 2016

Ok Tedi reopens

Mine’s

offers

By ROSALYN ALBANIEL

the mine’s board and management to suspend operations last year when the El Nino drought commenced was a decisive move and was exactly the right thing to do, based on the 1997 experience. Kamma farewell

MSF report point to growing crisis

EDITOR

Todagia Kelola

Ph: 309 1040

Email:tkelola@spp.com.pg

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paula Speakman

Ph: 309 1044

Email: pspeakman@spp.com.pg

LAE: Frano Nebas

Ph/fax: 472 4683. Email: fnebas.spp@global.net.pg

KOKOPO: Grace Tiden

Ph: 982 9186. Fax: 982 9147.

Email: gracetiden@gmail.com

BUKA: Anthony Kaybing

Ph: 973 9188 Fax: 973 9170

READING

through the 35-page report felt like walking through the scenes of an R-rated movie filled with violence, blood and gore.

But the fact is it is not a movie. These scenes are a reality for a lot of Papua New Guinean women and children, who fall victim to family and sexual violence.

The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-produced report Return to Abuser – Gaps in Services and a Failure to Protect Survivors of Family and Sexual Violence in Papua New Guinea, is a wakeup call to draw attention to this growing national crisis.

Today’s edition of the Post-Courier has a story on the MSF report and its findings and recommendations, based on the personal testimonies of over 3000 victims who were treated at its two facilities in the National Capital District and Tari, Hela Province between 2014 and 2015.

The report exposes the shortcomings of the State, in terms of the lack of protection mechanisms for victims, a weak justice system and how victims remain vulnerable to abuse at the hands of the perpetrators.

The statistics on the incidences of violence targeting women and children are jaw-dropping.

Ninety-four per cent of the vast majority of patients treated were female; 49 per cent was at the hands of partners; the most common form of violence; more than a quarter of these women had been threatened with death; 56 per cent of sexual violence survivors were children, and 1 in 6 of these (17 per cent) were under the age of five; three in four (76 per cent) survivors of sexual violence knew the perpetrator; and one in 10 adult women reported experiencing repeated sexual violence (10 per cent). For children, this increased to two in five (38 per cent).

As mentioned above, family and sexual violence is a national crisis and warrants the immediate attention of all Papua New Guineans i.e. private citizens, the working class, business CEOs, bureaucrats and politicians.

While statistics from the MSF-run clinics in Tari and Port Moresby do not necessarily represent the national picture, the high percentages point to a growing crisis which is yet to be documented in other provinces that do not have a MSF facility.

The MSF will hand over its NCD clinic to the Port Moresby General Hospital this month, to bring to an end its association with the facility. But not before making an appeal for access to protection and alternate accommodation, which includes safe houses to ensure the survivors of violence are not forced to look around. We support the MSF in its appeal for more access to protect and provide alternate accommodation for the survivors of family and sexual violence.

The organisation’s exit from Tari and Port Moresby opens the door for Papua New Guineans to claim ownership over the issue and to work together to create long-term solutions.

The statistics should convince our leaders in the public and private sectors of the need to pool resources in order to create more protection as well as accommodation for the survivors.

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Bala Babaga

Ph: 309 1013 Fax: 321 3284

Email: bbabaga@spp.com.pg

DELIVERY INQUIRIES

Ph: 309 1102

Email: bbabaga@spp.com.pg

Email: anthony.kaybing@ gmail.com

MT HAGEN: Andrew Alphonse

Ph: 542 2602 Fax: 542 3039

Email: posthagen.spp@gmail. com

JIWAKA: Mal Taime

Email: mal.taime@gmail.com

Mob: 728 54 454

K500 spot fine for betelnut chewers

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

FOR those who enjoy their betel nut, beware!

Spot fines of K500 will be implemented by National Capital District Commission police reserve and enforcement units.

The new approach was made known by controller of the buai ban Honk Kiap, who is deputy city manager for community and social services.

The fine will be implemented after two months of awareness is carried out by the enforcement unit.

Mr Kiap said that the buai ban issue has been challenging since the ban came into

place more than 18 months ago.

He said City Hall had tried various methods, programs and activities, resulting in a lot of complaints from the public but because it is a law, they had to enforce it the way they did.

Since the reinstatement of the NCDC reserve police, the enforcement has been confined within the city limits in public places like bus stops, shopping malls, government offices and other public areas.

On the issues of the chewer, Mr Kiap said that if they did not want to pay a fine, they would be asked to say how they would get rid of the spittle when they chew it.

“It may force us to the extremes to demand an explanation from the chewer on the method of disposing the spittle. If it means to get rid of it by swallowing it, that must be demonstrated or if

by spitting in a container or plastic bag that must also be demonstrated to the officers,” said Mr Kiap.

He said the message must be clear to the public of these new harsh measures that the NCDC reserve police will be taking to enforce the buai ban within the city.

“These harsh steps will be taken because it has taken us three to almost five years and people have not taken heed of the law that has come into place.

“That we will not back down so I would like the public to know about it,” said the Deputy City Manager.

OTML welcomes back employees on site

FROM PAGE ONE

“THE temporary closure has given management an excellent opportunity to restructure the whole operation, as well as do some major maintenance programs.

“With a much leaner and meaner structure, the Chamber believes that the mine can be profitable by the end of the year, even at current copper/

gold prices,” the chamber said. Ok Tedi’s commencement yesterday ended the seven-month suspension of operations due to the dry weather conditions which had affected its hydro-electricity power and transport of critical supply and copper concentrate on the Fly River. MRA managing director Phillip Samar said that MRA was pleased at the outcome of

the statutory inspections that had been done to verify safety management systems at the mine, the mill and the river port sites, including Kiunga.

“We commend OTML for ensuring that its safety management systems are in place to meet the MRAs Safety Inspections rigorous requirements.

“As the operator of the mine, OTML is now directly responsible for ensuring the

continued maintenance of the mines safety management system going forward,” Mr Samar said.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s managing director and chief executive officer Peter Graham yesterday welcomed back on site its 800 workers as operations progressively start, adding the numbers would ramp up to full complement by mid-March.

The buai ban issue has been challenging since the ban...

O’Neill: Kamma’s legacy will live on

BY GORETHY KENNETH

SOUTH Bougainville Member of Parliament Steven Pirika Kamma’s legacy will live on specifically on Bougainville matters, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said in his tribute yesterday.

The life of the late politician was read in eulogies and tributes as friends shared their testimonies at the funeral service in Port Moresby.

Kamma was a simple man who got kicked out of school while living with his uncle but who pursued his education through distance education, became a health extension officer but later had strived to change course and become Papua New Guinea’s first in gaining a licence for pest control.

Starting up from a humble beginning, as well as experiencing hardships through the Bougainville Crisis and moving home from Rabaul to Port Moresby in 1994 due to the twin volcanic eruptions, little did he realise then his dreams of becoming successful would come true when he decided to moved to Port Moresby.

At the age of 26, and going in between trainings in Australia, the late politician who only went as far as furthering his education through distance education became a businessman.

He is now, until his passing a household name, when it comes to PNG Pest Control, he also strived to become a champion politician in South Bougainville.

O’Neill told the packed Sioni Kami Memorial Church at Five-Mile that the Government in the past four and a half years achieved so much in Bougainville under Kamma’s leadership.

“Thank you for sharing Mr Kamma with us here in PNG. We offer our sympathies in this time of loss.

“PNG thanks Mr Kamma for his commitment and particularly the work he did and of course his commitment to peace on Bougainville.

The bottom line

“He was a genuine and trusted leader who was able to keep his words and work to

deliver.Through his work, our Government has done more work for the last four years than any other on Bougainville and I must say that his legacy will live on,” O’Neill said.

The body will be flown to

Buka then onto Aropa before a helicopter will take him to his final resting place in Siwai today.

Mr Kamma was the Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Bougainville Affairs at the time of his death.

STRIFE

THE national broadcaster is in strife again. Staff are considering legal action. Why does this happen every time there is a new boss?

NO POLITICS

THE dissemination of information to the masses is critical for development. It’s time politicians stay out of the NBC appointments process and let DPM and PSC handle it.

HOME

THE former chief secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc is back in Morobe. But not before provincial leaders decried his low key return.

SPACE

BUT the leaders might want to check with the Knight. That was probably the way he wanted it so respect his wishes and give him and his family space

HELLO?

TELEPHONE queries with the Police and State Savings and Loans Society got nowhere. One out-of-town contributor even had the phone engaged on him.

VISIT

MAYBE it is time for the financial sector regulator

BPNG to pay the society a

MUSIC

MORESBY Arts Theatre musical

Sound of Music starts this Friday. Tickets going for K50 (adult) and K25 (students/ children) at the MAT, Waterfront and Food World.

visit. Contributors need to know what’s happening.

ITS ON

ONE more sleep for avid rugby league fans. Round 1 of the 2016 NRL season kicks off tomorrow night with the Brisbane Broncos up against Parramatta Eels.

RAIDER

THERE is bound to be a groundswell of support in PNG for the Canberra Raiders, courtesy of the club’s decision to sign exHunter Ottio Kato.

REVIEW

GOOD to know the Tourism Promotion Act 1993 is being reviewed. A lot has happened in the industry over the last 23 years.

NATURAL

THE natural beauty of PNG and its people is what this country needs to market to the outside world. Get this right in our tourism marketing strategy and it will go a long way.

IT’S 839

BESIDES the flora and fauna which excites scientists, our linguistic diversity continues to raise eyebrows globally. Officially, PNG has 839 living languages.

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

on Bougainville in 1969 led to the establishment of the huge Bougainville Copper Mine.

The discovery of copper ore deposits

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill viewing the body of late Steven Kama as it lays InState in the Grand Hall in National Parlia-

He was a genuine and trusted leader who was able to keep to his words

PETER O’ NEILL Port

Moresby

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill expresses his condolence to the widow of the late Steven Kama at the Parliament.

Court confirms Kondra sacking

BY ADAM MERA

THE National Court yesterday confirmed the dismissal of Mr Boka Kondra as North Fly MP on charges of misapplication of public money.

Mr Kondra was dismissed from office on May 29 last year after a leadership tribunal found him guilty of misapplying K238,442.92 that belongs to the North Fly district.

The leadership tribunal, which comprised Justice Salatiel Lenalia, magistrate Ignatius Kurei and magistrate Rosie Johnson, ruled that Kondra was guilty of six allegations of misconduct in office on April 27, last year.

The monies Kondra used for his own purposes are from North Fly District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) and District Services Grant Funds.

The tribunal in its findings said Kondra used K85,276 from the two accounts for rentals on an office space he occupies, K134,966.92 for rentals on his accommodation and K18,200 to pay an outstanding debt on a hire car company for motor vehicles he used for his 2012 election campaign.

‘Unbecoming of police to assault public’

POLICE personnel should know their duties and stick to it.

This call was made by the officer in charge of internal affair unit, Charles Winuan, who is in charge of investigating police misbehaviour and arresting them if there was sufficient evidence.

Mr Winuan said this following police shooting in the public arena which resulted in the injury of two civilians who were part of a crowded betelnut market in Koki, in Moresby South, on Monday.

Immediately following his dismissal, the ousted MP filed for leave for a judicial review of the tribunal’s decision which was granted on July 16 last year.

According to Justice Colin Makail who presided over the judicial review, Kondra went ahead and breached the leadership code despite being allocated K193,846 for the purposes, other than the payments for hire cars.

Justice Makail said of the six allegations, three alleged that Kondra intentionally misapplied the money and the tribunal found them to be true.

The other two allegations are that, because of the first three allegations, he failed to carry out his duties imposed by section 27 (1) of the Constitution therefore demeaned his office as a leader and in doing so, allowed his personal integrity to be called into question.

The last allegation was that he failed to carry out his obligations imposed by section 27 (5) of the constitution and that is he used his own name for his personal gain.

NEWS ON THE STREET

He said it is unbecoming of policemen and women to assault civilians without any good reason. “It is even worse when they are shooting into a crowd,” he added.

He said police have no right to assault people.

“They have to go and arrest them, process them and let them face the law.

I have been a policeman for 30 years and never belted a member of the public.”

Impersonator arrested

A MAN wearing a police issued uniform and armed with a high-powered service firearm and ammunition has been arrested in Port Moresby.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Crimes Victor Isouve said that Scott Dylan, 37, of Tarara village, Kieta, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, was providing security for some Asians when he was arrested inside the company premises near the Six-Mile dump.

Detectives were tipped off by some people who became suspicious when they saw the armed Bougainville man escorting the Asians with the high-powered rifle.

Five held for kidnapping released with conditions

By JACOB POK

FIVE men who were detained in 2009 for impersonating policemen and kidnapping a family for ransom in Port Moresby have been released from custody with conditions by the National Court.

The court had found that some of their rights under

the Constitution had been infringed by the State.

Roger Bai Nimbituo, Jeffery Wosi, Ronald Wafia, Jacob Wapai and Gilbert Guari were remanded in custody in connection with serious criminal charges.

They have been in custody for periods ranging from five years, nine months to six

years and six months respectively.

They have been jointly tried in the National Court.

The court trial did not commence until after they had spent several years in custody.

The trial extended over a period of two years and four months.

Their trial was completed 13 months ago, but no verdict has yet been delivered.

They remained in custody at Bomana jail.

Aggrieved over the delay, they filed an application for Enforcement of Human Rights under section 57 of the Constitution.

They based their applica-

tion on four grounds which include:

THE right to protection from inhuman treatment under the Constitution which protects their right to the full protection of the law;

THE right to protection against harsh, oppressive and other prescribed acts; and

THE right not to be de-

prived of their personal liberty, by being unreasonably detained in custody.

Justice David Cannings ordered the release of the detainees with conditions similar to bail application but would not in any way affect the outcome of their criminal trial.

APO is a newspaper salesman, you will find him at Waigani Drive in the nation’s capital selling his newspapers. Picture: KENNEDY BANI

Gaps in services fails to protect family violence

Create policies to assist survivors

BY GRACE SALMANG

DESPITE improvements to address family and sexual violence many survivors are left to suffer in silence without access to the care, justice or protection they require, says Medecins Sans Frontieres.

“Reform of some crucial policies and laws to assist survivors of violence has been achingly slow, with devastating results, particularly for children,” MSF head of mission Angelika Herb said.

“Without an escalated response from authorities, women will remain trapped in violent relationships, unable to remove themselves or their children from harm; vulnerable minors who are raped or beaten in their homes will continue to be returned to their abusers; and medical assistance, while vital, will be relegated to patching survivors up between abuse sessions,” she said.

Speaking in Port Moresby yesterday after the release of the MSF report, Return to Abuser, Ms Herb said specific attention must also be paid to the needs of children, including the immediate implementation of the Child Welfare.

Children also victims of sexual violence

BY GRACE SALMANG At a glance

FAMILY and sexual violence survivors must have access to free, quality, confidential treatment, in addition to services beyond medical care to keep them safe, according to a report released yesterday.

The report, Return to Abuser, by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said that the gaps in services and systems trap women and children in cycles of severe family and sexual violence.

The report, released in Port Moresby, details how a dire lack of protection mechanisms, a weak justice system and a culture of impunity en-

LACK PROTECTION: Lack of protection mechanisms, a weak justice system and a culture of impunity endanger the health and lives of patients even if they manage to reach medical care.

SUGGESTION: Increased availability of and access to meaningful protection and alternative accommodation, including safe houses so survivors of violence are no longer forced to return to their abusers.

danger the health and lives of patients even if they manage to reach medical care.

The report includes comprehensive data from more than 3000 survivors of family and sexual violence who the MSF had treated in 2014-15 in its two projects in both rural area of Tari, in Hela Prov-

ince, and in Port Moresby. Medecins Sans Frontieres or Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from

health care.

It reveals the repeated, often escalating, violence women and children endure in the places they should be safe, their homes and communities:

94 per cent of the vast majority of patients treated were female;

49 per cent was at the hands of partners; the most common form of violence;

More than a quarter of these women had been threatened with death;

56 per cent of sexual violence survivors were children, and 1 in 6 of these (17 per cent) were under the age of five;

Three in four (76 per cent)

survivors of sexual violence knew the perpetrator; and One in 10 adult women reported experiencing repeated sexual violence (10 per cent).

For children, this increased to two in five (38 per cent).

The report recommends that authorities increase availability of and access to essential medical and psychosocial services across the country.

In particular, MSF calls for increased availability of and access to meaningful protection and alternative accommodation, including safe houses so survivors of violence are no longer forced to return to their abusers.

Cultural practices hinder women’s ability

BY GRACE SALMANG

CULTURAL practices such as the payment and repayment of bride price hinder women’s ability to obtain protection, often trapping them with a violent partner.

Operations manager for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Christian Katzer said this yesterday during the release of its report, Return to Abuser.

“The barriers to seeking protection through the official legal system contribute to a continuing reliance on

The bottom line

village court culture,” he said.

He said according to MSF’s services and care provided to survivors of family and sexual violence in different parts including Port Moresby, Morobe, Hela, Milne Bay and East Sepik provinces, the wantok system promotes a communal culture with a strong preference for dealing with issues within the clan or community internally rather than through Governmentenforced national laws.

“So although domestic violence was classified as a

criminal offence under the 2013 Family Protection Act, it continues to be viewed by many as a private matter to be handled within the family, or by traditional community compensation mechanisms.

“When basing his talk on the report, he said 71 village courts often rely on an approach that priorities continuing wantok group unity over survivors’ needs.

“The widespread culture of ‘compensation’, whereby money is paid to victims’ families for crimes committed, means that perpetrators

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”

of family and sexual violence often evade imprisonment and any official recognition of their violence as a criminal act.

“Such rulings fail to protect the survivor, or others, from further violence and harm, as the perpetrator is free to return to the community where the victim lives.”

He said the compensation approach also reduces incentives to make complaints against perpetrators who come from the same family or clan as the victim which is the reality for all survivors.

Harvey S Firestone

THEATRE nurse Aoife Mhurchu says two in three of survivors of violence perpetrated by intimate partners had injuries from weapons, including sticks, knives, machetes and blunt instruments.

“49 per cent of patients who sought care following sexual violence said the abuse in most cases is rape occurred at home.

“The younger the survivor, the more likely it was that they were abused at home and for most patients, the perpetrator of sexual violence was someone they knew,” she said.

The report also revealed that younger children are also involved.

Retraction

THE Post-Courier yesterday erroneously made reference to the British American Tobacco (BAT) in a commentary titled “Brus can save lives and make money” on page 5 of the Tuesday, March 1, 2016 edition.

The newspaper accepts that the company did not supply the information to the author of the article and the proposition that locally grown brus has health benefits cannot by supported.

The newspaper regrets the publishing of the commentary and apologises to the BAT as well as its readers.

THE Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) panel led by Angelika Herb, MSF Head Mission, Christian Katzer, MSF operational manager and Aoife Ni Mhurchu, theatres nurse, during the release of its report yesterday. Picture: KENNEDY BANI

CHRISTIAN Katzer- MSF operational manager

lae daily

If you have a story to tell, call us on 472 4166 or email postlae@spp.com.pg / or call 422 3120

Sir Nagora explains role of a leader

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

LEADERSHIP is a skill you develop and you are not born with it, says prominent Morobe citizen Sir Nagora Bogan.

Sir Nagora said this last weekend as the guest speaker of the Christian Democratic Party fundraiser in Lae.

Speaking on the theme Leadership, Transparency and Good Governance, he said that leadership is not about things like rocket science.

He said young leaders today could not distinguish between private and public to know the difference so as to draw a clear line, a statement agreed by many during the event.

Sir Nagora said throughout his life, some of the key differences that have shaped him to be a leader include knowing the difference between community and personal interests.

He added that leadership is having a good sense of what is right and wrong.

Calistus: New vehicles not for personal use

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

THE public have been urged to report the misuse of six new Government vehicles, costing almost K600,000, which were presented to Lae district yesterday.

District administrator

Robin Calistus presented the vehicles on behalf of Lae MP Loujaya Kouza, calling on the public to be the “eyes and ears” of the district.

At a glance

Mr Calistus said if any of the vehicles are misused for drinking alcohol after official

FOR SALE

ers of the motor vehicles that for the next three years, these will be their official vehicles but they will lose them if they misuse the vehicles.

Mr Calistus said for a long time divisions in the district office had been hampered without mobility.

LANDING CRAFT

GRT/NRT: 338G1

Overall length: 46.6m

Breadth: 9.0m

Loaded draft: 2.9m

hours or used for personal errands, then they ought to be reported. He warned caretak-

He said for example, that Lae district continues to lead the province with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases and the number is in-

creasing. He indicated that the effectiveness of combating the fight against HIV/ AIDs in Lae district will be addressed with the new vehicles supporting the work divisions such as disease control in the district.

Other divisions to receive a new vehicle included Treasury, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Electoral Commission and the local MP’s office.

He said leadership borders on many aspects including credibility being authentic rather than pretentious, being honest to oneself and others.

He said similarly criminals are disrespectful members of the society yet want to be respected.

“Leadership is about credibility. If you say you are going to do it, do it. Stop pretending to be somebody else,” he said.

Translating transparency, Sir Nagora said transparency is like a clear glass house. “Imagine how life would be like if everyone was working or going about daily chores in a glass house.

Transparency is about truthfulness and to know the private from public interests.

“Good Governance is a system of rules and protocols that comes into play to portray true leadership.

Basa gives K250,00 to landowners

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

MOROBE chairman for Planning, Implementation and Budget Patrick Basa has handed over K250,000 to the Satwag Landowners Association in the Komba Local Level Government of Kabwum District.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru presented the part payment for a total of 12.8 acres of customary land for the establishment of the Komba LLG Government station.

Provincial Lands Adviser Jonah Suvi said the land val-

uation cost the Morobe Government about K1.19 million and with the part payment already made, K943,354 is the outstanding to be paid in installments.

Mr Suvi said that much of the land occupied by government stations have to be officially acquired from the customary owners by the State.

Governor Naru said the part payment signals the start of the acquisition of the Komo LLG land to a State land. He said the cost also covers existing Government facilities on the land portion.

Satwag Landowners Association chairman Kaigama

Yagama said the three landowner clans of the Komba LLG station appreciated the down payment which they had been waiting for since 2002.

Existing Government facilities at the station include the Sambore Community School, Satwag health centre, Satwag airstrip and Komba LLG council chamber. Mr Yagama said the station has been hit by the recent drought and the money will assist with flying in relief supplies.

URGED: The public have been urged to report the misuse of six new Government vehicles, costing almost K600,000, which were presented to Lae district yesterday.

ROBIN CALISTUS: He warned caretakers of the motor vehicles that for the next three years, these will be their official vehicles but they will lose them if they misuse the vehicles.

LAE DA Robin Calistus presenting the six new vehicles yesterday in Lae.

Picture: FRANKIY KAPIN

GOVERNOR Naru presents the K250,000 cheque to the Satwag Landowners Associtaion chairman.

Gamato disappointed over polls budget cut

BY ROSALYN ALBANIEL At

CHIEF Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato is disappointed over cuts to election funds, saying the K10 million allocated by the Government is not enough.

Mr Gamato said he had submitted a budget for K223 million, but had later revised it down to K192 million.

a glance

ENROLLMENT: He said of this that K112million alone will be for the enrolment exercise, a huge task given the country’s geographical challenges but one which was a priority.

BUDGET: Mr Gamato said he had submitted a budget for K223 million but had later revised it down to K192 million.

He said of this, K112 million alone will be for the enrolment exercise, which was priority and a huge task given the country’s geographical challenges. He said the Elec-

PNGEC admits debts to partners

BY ROSALYN ALBANIEL

THE Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission has admitted it still owes service providers for services rendered during the 2012 and 2013 national elections.

However, this may be an expense that the Electoral Commission may have to go for if the funding support is insufficient.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said yesterday, there were outstanding bills which the commission estimated to be about K59 million.

“If we are to go for the costs, this may be an area but there will be risks involved.

“These are bills and costs involved in the last two elections we ran and so we should not leave that unattended.

“We should at least make some payments so that our service providers who are also key players in the election process will be happy to give us their support, come 2017 national election.

“The Papua New Guinea electoral commission staff are at risk, some have already been threatened and even their family members, due to non-payment and so the Government should not take the hard line to what we are saying,” he said.

Retraction

toral Commission should have embarked on this task starting this month, but has been deferred it to April as it is still awaiting funds from the Government.

“If the State cut funding support we will have difficulties in getting people enrolled,” Mr Gamato said.

“As many of the people live in remote villages. The estimates provided in my view are realistic and my call to Government is for it not to take the hard line.

“To cover the country is a

mammoth task as it will require going into the remotest parts of the country, but it must be done,” he said.

‘‘It is the people’s democratic right and we cannot say that we cannot enrol them due to lack of funds as this would be illegal,” Mr Gamato said. He said that the enrolment exercise itself is expected to take at least six months to complete. Costs he had cited is at an estimated K30 million which includes logistics to move officers and volunteers who would be engaged

Plans for new city markets in place

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

to carry out the roll update and K15 million for “big name items” including ballot boxes and stationary which must be bought ahead of time.

Despite this, Mr Gamato said the Electoral Commission was on track with its preelection preparations for the 2017 elections.

“We are ready and geared up but we are also waiting on funding to print the 400,000 enrolment forms to do new enrolments including those citizens who have just turned 18,” he said.

SCOPING and design of Tokarara Market is already in place and hopefully work on rebuilding the market will start this year.

National Capital District Commission is also looking for an alternate venue for NineMile Market and is working closely with Moresby Northeast MP Labi Amaiu.

Mr Amaiu said the site has been identified at Morobe Block, Nine-Mile.

Deputy city manager for community and social services Honk Kiap said that the current location for Nine-Mile market is a hazard.

“The current location for Nine-Mile market is going to be a traffic hazard and a safety risk due to the main roundabout which connects all road connections to Nine-Mile, including the newly constructed Gerehu-Nine-Mile road.

“Initially, we wanted to rebuild the market there but given the traffic issues, we will take it out to Nine-Mile Morobe Block area,” Mr Kiap said.

For the Hohola Market, he said a new market will be built there but added “we will have to consider the best design and concept that will complement the new hotel, Star Mountain,” he said. “We do not want to put something that will be an eye sore,” he said.

The Boroko Market is already completed and will be opened once the deadline for redevelopment of the Gordon market is confirmed. Mr Kiap said there have been concerns on the transfer of the market to Central Province and that must be clarified.

Mr Kiap said since it is prime land for development, NCDC took it back and developed it for the temporary transition for Gordon’s market vendors.

COLOUR FOR BEAUTIFICATION

Gordons market to be revamped

GORDON Market redevelopment has been delayed due to technical issues, National Capital District Commission says.

The deputy city manager for community and social services

Honk Kiap said that tenders will be out soon for interested contractors to apply for the redevelopment project.

Mr Kiap said the delay was due to the need to rectify some technical areas.

He has apologised to the city residents but insisted that all relevant issues causing the delay have been sorted out with all stakeholders and work is expected to start soon.

“It was more of a management

issue to determine who was doing what in the whole project and I am glad that an amicable resolution has been reached among all parties concerned,”

Mr Kiap said.

The parties include NCDC, the New Zealand High Commission and the UN Women.

“We reached an understanding that this year we will proceed with the Gordon’s Market in terms of the redevelopment project,” said Mr Kiap.

The parties resolved for the NCDC and the New Zealand Government through the High Commission to proceed with the Gordon Market re-development project while UN Women

concentrate on its intervention programs at Gordon and Gerehu markets though the Safe City programs.

Under this partnership, UN Women will continue to work with NCDC on programs like financial literacy for the vendors, safety and welfare of women and girls, harassment issues, awareness on welfare issues, HIV/AIDS and other related issues in the market place.

The bid document will be ready in three weeks’ time so that the tenders will be published then for those who are interested.

We are hoping the demolition and construction of the market should take place this year.

He said when the market is open, NCDC will develop it properly for vendors from Boroko and Manu markets because Manu market is not an NCDC designated market but a car park area for the TST supermarket. Rainbow is not a designated market and residents must their marketing at Gerehu Market.

PAINTERS add colour to the Wall at a new lodge in the city. Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

Hela’s maintenance budget approved

THE Hela Provincial Government will focus on infrastructure development in neglected areas and maintenance of existing infrastructure in 2016.

More than K150 million money plan (budget) for 2016 financial year has been approved by Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch yesterday.

Hela Governor Anderson Agiru described the money plan as a “maintenance budget” to carry out maintenance work and also to support the on-going work on infrastructure in the province.

The money plan comprises provincial tithes that will see 10 per cent of the budget for churches in bringing good news and church-run programs closer to the people.

More arrests expected after man charged with fraud

MORE arrests are expected in the coming weeks after a Southern Highlands man was arrested in connection to a payroll scandal at the Police Headquarters in Konedobu, Port Moresby.

Peter Kone, 29, of Erave in Southern Highlands Province was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud the state under Section 407 (1), (b) of the Criminal Code Act, 1974.

This is the third arrest so far by detectives investigating allegations of massive fraud reported at the payroll section of police headquarters.

A man and his wife, Christopher Chapau and Rhonda Kerea, were arrested in Manus Province on February 16 this year for their alleged involvement in a similar police payroll fraud case.

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Crimes Victor Isouve said Kone is the third person to be arrested so far since investigations began towards the end of last year.

Mr Isouve said Kone and a coworker attempted to defraud the state by creating a bogus payroll account identified as Zurich Zeibesh.

They went further and produced a claim of K101,670.74 but the scam was detected by employees of Finance Department before the money was transferred into the (ghost) account.

The false claim made by Kone and his co-worker on final entitlements was entered into the main Finance Alesco payroll system when it was detected by the Finance Department employees.

The matter was referred to the crimes directorate and Kone was arrested and charged on February 26 this year for his part in this alleged crime.

At a glance

MAINTENANCE: Hela Governor Anderson Agiru described the money plan as a “maintenance budget” to carry out maintenance work and also to support the on-going work on infrastructure in the province. CHURCHES: The 2016 money plan comprises provincial tithes with 10 per cent for churches.

He said the other major priority was to focus on neglected areas of Mt Bosavi and Lake Kopiago that have missed out on essential basic services over the years.

“Special attention will be on maintenance and development

of new infrastructure in neglected areas of the province”

Mr Agiru said.

The 2016 money plan comprises K80 million from public investment programs and K70 million from internal revenue.

The Hela Governor said the biggest chunk of the budget will be for current road infrastructure projects undertaken in the province, maintenance and rebuilding of schools infrastructure and various health centres.

The major roads projects in the province to receive funding in 2016 budget includes Marea to Kopiago road, Egele to Fugua road, Tari Town road sealing, Tari to Mt Kare road, Lower Wage road, Songura to

Sebieba and Komo Loop road, Munima to Karita road, Dauli to Hongobe road and Hulia to Komo road.

Mr Agiru said major maintenance work will start on infrastructure for schools, including Tari, Koroba, Magarima Secondary and Dauli Teachers College.

For economic generation and agriculture, the 2016 money plan has taken into account for the funding of the other agro industrial centre at Hulia.

Hela Province is the hub of major resource projects such as the PNG LNG and is included in the National Government budgets on high impact projects and various programs as agreed upon under the Oil and Gas agreement.

SMILING FOR THE CAMERA

‘Disaster recovery needed’

BY JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Government plans to increase its allocation to deal with climate induced weather events in the country in the upcoming budget projections, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says. He said given the climate induced disasters in the country, the Government will make restoration of basic services a priority for the people after the continuous disaster that is affecting the nation.

Mr O’Neill said in order to do that, the Government has to increase its budget allocation in the upcoming national budgets to mitigate and recover from such natural disasters.

The Prime Minister, who has been keeping up to date of the recovery activities underway, following the aftermath of the drought and continuous heavy

rain, said that the Government has been behind the people through the tough times.

Mr O’Neill said he was keeping up to date of disaster and also the current recovery activities underway, following drought and heavy rains in various parts of the country.

He said more than K25 million has been spent by the national Government on recovery efforts since the drought situation worsened.

“The drought that has affected parts of the country has been severe and impacted on millions of people. Our Government has worked to deliver relief directed to where it is needed and ensured it was not held up by bureaucracy,” the Prime Minister said.

“This has included the provision of food supplies and seeds, as well as the restoration of Government services affected

by extreme weather. There have been roads that were washed out by recent rains in the Highlands, Madang and Northern Provinces and the Works Department has been working solidly to have repairs made as quick as possible.”

He said that as with the damage caused by serious weather in other areas around the Pacific, PNG must be prepared for ongoing weather events made worse by climate change.

“PNG is well known as the land of the unexpected, and we are experiencing extremes of weather. The Government will continue to make the recovery after disasters and the restoration of basic services a priority for our people. In upcoming budget projections we will continue to increase our allocation for dealing with climate induced weather events,” the Prime Minister said.

STUDENTS of Zion Zeal, dressed in black and gold coloured uniforms, were rushing to their school so as not to be late.

Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

State to invest K1.5b in five-star hotel Institute making waves

CABINET has approved the commercial terms for the State’s participation and investment in the K1.5 billion Star Mountain Plaza project in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the project and its facilities are important to the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby in 2018, and the long term development of tourism.

He said the State will invest in the project through a special purpose State-owned company; APEC Infrastructure

TAFE supports nursing course

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

ASIA Pacific Institute of Applied Social, Economic and Technical Studies has announced a partnership between its campus in Port Moresby and the TAFE Queensland in Australia.

APIASETS director Thomas Pillar said in the arrangement, TAFE Queensland will allow our students to travel to their state-of-the-art campus where they will train alongside other international students dor eight weeks.

“For four weeks, trainers from Australia will travel to PNG to train the students, remember this is a five year trail, depending on the outcome of the training we shall see what happens after five years.”

The nursing course has already seen 60 students tackling first year.

APIASETS also provides technical courses in aviation and marine engineering also supported by TAFE.

At a glance

O’ NEILL: The State will invest in the K1.5 billion in the Star Mountain Plaza project through a special purpose State owned company, APEC Infrastructure Investment Coporation. The project and its facilities are important to the successful hosting of the APEC Leaders Summit in 2018 and the long term development of tourism.

Investment Corporation.

Mr O’Neill said stage one of the project is expected to cost around K1.1 billion while the second stage, which will include a second hotel, will cost a further K450 million. He said the State will con-

tribute K316 million - K222 million for stage one and K94 million for stage two, towards the realisation of this aspiration.

It will buy 20 per cent of the shares by investing K100 million as its first payment to-

wards the project next month through either its own lenders or the annual budget.

He said the five-star hotel is a mixed-use, fully integrated development project in Port Moresby to be developed by the company, Star Mountain Plaza Limited.

When stage one is completed, it will have a convention centre called the Kutubu Convention Centre, a parking space for 441 cars and the 212room Hilton Hotel.

“It will be developed in three stages; the first include a convention and performing arts centre which totals 3900

LOs form company to tap into LNG project

BY JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Papua New Guinea Liquified Natural Gas Project landowners from the five impacted provinces now have a company to participate in the project.

The company, Last to First Papua PNG LNG Equity Holdings Limited, is registered to manage the landowner equity benefits currently managed by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.

One of the directors and chairman of Hides PDL1 and former Koroba-Kopiago MP John Kekeno said the landowners will not wait for anyone including the provincial government which should have taken the lead some years ago.

He said they are ready and have secured a loan from some international financiers but needed the Government’s bless-

ing for them to go ahead with the establishment of the company.

“We are not waiting for anyone. The time for the five Provincial Governments to facilitate and led the landowners is over.

“Six years for them to lead us is over with only four month remaining before the grace or

square metres of convention and meeting space over four levels, a restaurant, cafe and related facilities.

“A 212-room hotel and 140 residential apartments will also be built to be used for APEC related meetings. It is critically important that we provide adequate facilities to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetings and the CEO Summit 2018.

“The initial earthworks and construction of the project has started with most of the facilities expected to be completed and delivered by October of 2017,”Mr O’Neill said.

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

A NEW school making waves in providing quality education is the Asia Pacific Institute of Applied, Social, Economic and Technical Studies.

The school is moving ahead with its plans to make the institution into a college that can provide quality education which, according to its executive director Thomas Pillar is currently lacking in the country.

“While there are many stories of successes out there, we are lacking because we are behind when it comes to education,” Mr Pillar said.

Mr Pillar said that APIASETS was up to date and intune with the rest of the world to provide the same education needed by its students.

APIASETS provides training in PNG and abroad through its affiliation with TAFE Queensland to give its students the right exposure.

FOR SALE

A LARGE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CONSISTING OF

window of opportunity period of 6 month is almost up.

“We the landowners have been forced to organise ourselves and secure loans and form a company,” he said.

He said the recent meeting to appoint or mandate Hela Governor Anderson Agiru is invalid and does not have standing because Agiru was representing an organisation that does not hold any equity participation in the province.

Kekeno said Hela and Southern Highlands provincial governments need to talk as Hela is not a equity participant as per the Umbrella Benefit Sharing Agreement.

“Hela and Southern Highlands will have to go and talk it over on how they would split the equity benefit or ask another percentage from the State,” he said.

Property in high exposure area. Warehouse floor space 570 square meters and 75 square meters mezzanine office space new.

3 High Post x3 bedroom houses new.

7 Low Post x3 bedroom houses new.

1 high set residence 3 bedroom used as on-site accommodation

1 80KVA Standby Genset

4x 9000 liter standby water tanks. (Excellent location) Price K9,700,000.00

For further information contact Landline: 3237564 Mobile: 70601515

THE nation’s capital can offer some spectacular views,pictured is the lookout from Paga hill to Port Moresby harbour.

Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

The company, Last to First Papua PNG LNG Equity Holdings Ltd is registered to manage LO equity benefits held by KPHL

John Kekeno

Port Moresby

Quick thoughts

MISLEADING ARTICLE

I WRITE as a concerned PNG citizen regarding the article published in the Post-Courier yesrerday on page 5 titled “PNG – The consumer of innovation” with Dean Arek. The article also had the sub title: “Brus can save lives and make money”. The article is highly misleading. The fact is that tobacco companies do not add nicotine to tobacco. Nicotine is a substance that is naturally present in the tobacco plant when it is grown and harvested to make cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. People must not be misled into thinking that our local brus is a safer or healthier option to manufactured tobacco.

There is no such thing as a safer or healthier tobacco product. Please ensure this article is repealed and this fact highlighted for the benefit of our people. I would also encourage Arek to check these facts either through Google or by speaking to people at BAT before publishing such articles that can only mislead our people.

George A Panao

REVIVE NCD BARRACKS

ONE very important aspect of maintaining discipline within the rank and file is to maintain discipline in the barracks. It is highly undisputable that a person who has a good rest in a peaceful house within a reasonably serene environment comes to work early and ready to face the challenges of the day. Police personnel are no different. So maintaining discipline in the barracks is very important. Currently, all police barracks in NCD are in shambles. There is no order whatsoever in most of the barracks. Tokam Police Barracks is one such barracks with a lot of discipline issues. Houses in the barracks are filled with over-aged “children”, friends and relatives. Some policemen live outside the barracks with new partners, leaving their wife and children to fend for themselves. I humbly suggest to the Met-Supt to do awareness in all barracks and do regular house checks.

Yab II

Looking for someone?

I am searching for Cathy Pianga. Please contact me on 7192 4864/ 7284 7031. Thank you.

Wilma

OnlyHEOs at Goroka hospital

CONGRATULATIONS to Goroka hospital board chairman, Mal Smith Kela, for appointing his deputy chairman, Joshua Soso, as the hospital’s new acting CEO.

Correct me but such appointment is unheard of in the public service. How can a board member or a deputy board chairman, for that matter, of a statutory organisation be appointed as an administrator of the same state entity? Maybe this is a new style of leadership that Kela wishes to introduce into the public sector in EHP, mixing policy with administration.

Is the legal division of the Health Department aware of this appointment or is it turning a blind eye to the situation in Goroka?

More than two months ago, a friend of mine lost her mother in the delivery ward of Goroka Base Hospital, once the premier hospital of the Highlands region. She was told that her mother died of severe loss of blood after delivering her baby. She was told by some staff members that it was a preventable death. We are informed that loss of blood after delivery can easily be corrected with blood transfusion in a big hospital like Goroka, but this never happened.

At the time of her death, there was no doctor at all in the women’s delivery wards because the majority of the doctors have resigned and left in 2015.

The hospital is now flooded with

health extension officials (HEOs) because doctors have left and no new ones have come in to take over positions left vacant. The question is; “Aren’t HEOs supposed to be running health centres and aid posts in the districts?” Maybe the HEOs in Goroka are performing doctor’s jobs like operating on patients?

If this is true then Goroka hospital is in no position to treat very sick patients, including those who will need surgical operations. A premier hospital without doctors is only a district health centre.

Can the acting CEO and the board chairman do something urgently before we lose another sister or mother?

Sick and Impatient

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

WRITE

Public servants must rise to vote in good leaders

THE public service industry pays the highest income tax to the Government and is the largest industry that is directly responsible of service delivery to the country.

Despite poor working conditions against the high cost of living, this industry continues to shoulder all development issues affecting the country. And this industry is in the forefront of implementing Government legislation and policy decisions.

The sad fact is that public servants have never participated constructively in influencing election outcomes relative to policy issues critical to good governance, apart from conducting the election. Most public servants think that politics is for the grassroots, unemployed, tribe, clans or villagers. And that is probably one of the key reasons why politics is yet to be liberated from subjective complacency to objective consciousness.

Public servants, despite bearing a substantial amount of the development cost in this country, choose to be ignorant when it comes to politics. It is obvious that public servants are dictated and manipulated by their ignorant and arrogant tribesmen and women to support candidates who simply don’t understand contemporary politics and what national leadership demands.

So should they really blame the Government that is comprised of such people for poor working conditions, high cost of living, inflation and high income tax, against their poor salary? That is why it is very important that of all people, public servants who consume half of the national budget should take full ownership of national elections

and proactively engage in educating their people, especially ignorant clansmen and women, to understand the need of voting in good candidates to assume national leadership.

Public servants should put their feet down and inspire change during election and champion the awareness of voting credible candidates into parliament. That is not to say this parliament is devoid of such leaders but the quality of parliament sessions we are experiencing now is a clear demonstration that we have a bunch of ordinary people who are simply insensitive or unconscious of many national issues critical to the progressive development of PNG.

Most MPs are clearly seen during parliament sessions busy with their mobile phones and quiet throughout the entire session like the country is okay. Others don’t even listen to the substantive arguments of colleague MPs, especially those in the Opposition, and shout them down like children.

It makes you wonder how people vote in these individuals to provide political leadership in what is supposed to be the most respectable house on the land. Most decisions vital to change and development are not seriously raised nor debated, making you wonder what kind of leaders we are voting to represent us.

Hence it must start with public servants who are in the front line of service delivery to educate the voting public why it is important to vote credible leaders into parliament. At the end of the day, the public servants divide their meagre salary among their nuclear family, extended family, clan and tribe in meeting both economic and social obligations to the point where they rarely have any savings to improve their own lives.

Quick thoughts

GREAT JOB, HAODA

They are forced most times to borrow money to service and sustain such demands, leaving them living a very stressful life. While the situation is definitely unfair on these hard working public servants, they should be asking the most basic question. Are they doing enough to influence and inspire change during elections to bring in good leaders whose leadership? A leadership that can change the country so that its people can enjoy their Government and they can reap rewards like getting improved working conditions, see a reduction in the cost of living, enjoy good public infrastructure, increased savings, etc.

People outside of the Government public service system have a fair idea of government systems and functions, and how government is conducting its state functions. But public servants are drivers of these systems and functions and know very well what is right and wrong of all government decisions. When they go to sleep during election time, it is most unfortunate because criminals and idiots will manipulate their ways into parliament and mess the country up.

That is why it is imperative that public servants should rise up to the task and inspire change from where ever they are to see good and credible candidates winning the election. This is to form a parliament that can stand up to modern challenges and take leadership to the next level, which can change the country and make its people rejoice by enjoying a better standard of living.

May all public servants unite to inspire change in the 2017 elections without fear or favour and save PNG.

Samson Wena Kerowagi Chimbu

GREAT job, Governor for Central Province Kila Haoda, for the Central students sponsorship program. I sincerely appreciate your initiative towards your human resources. I am a parent who has been struggling with school fees for my child at the Divine Word University in Madang Province. DWU’s annual fee of K9000 proved to be a burden until you stepped in. Your assistance was a relief. I salute you!

Central Parent

EXTEND TO RURAL AREA

WE WOULD like to thank the Police Commissioner for his clean up of the police force. This has been needed for a long time. Most of this exercise has been concentrated in Port Moresby. Can the clean up please also extend out to the remote areas? We still have so called police officers supporting Asian loggers to suppress the rights of the landowners. Please make this a priority.

A Concerned Citizen

REMOVE SME PROGRAM

REPRESENTING the Voice of Melanesia, I am asking the Government of the day to withdraw the SME program in the country because we know that the PNG Government has a huge debt with the World Bank. Why did Prime Minster Peter O’Neill and Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru sign an agreement with the World Bank to fund the SME programs? I am asking the O’Neill Government and Minister Maru whether they have paid back the loan from World Bank? If you both have not paid the loan then there is no need to bring in the SME program because the World Bank will have every right in claiming all the resources and take over the economic powers of this country. Therefore I am asking

the Prime Minister whether he is safeguarding or selling the country? If you want to safeguard the country then it is important that you, as the Prime Minister, declare economic systematic independence for the country. This is because former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has sold the birth right of this nation in 1975 to the hands to the World Bank and the Queen of England, which we should take back. We, the Voice of Melanesia, gave our petition on June 15, 2015. Why is the current Government looking for ways when there are huge resources going out of this country? So we are enforcing the removal of the SME program in the country, sensing this would destroy the economic independence PNG. If we have succeeded in our attempt to remove the NID program, we request the Prime Minister to consider our grievances and remove the SME program in PNG.

Zackary Mainick

NOT SINNERS

CHURCH groups, prayer warriors and individuals have been praying at parliament house, in the media, on public holidays, up on the mountains, and in the graveyards for forgiveness, blessing, prosperity and wisdom. “We know that God does not listen to the prayers of sinners; he does listen to people who respect him and do what he wants them to do’’ (John 9:31). “For the Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their prayers; but opposes those who do evil’’ (1 Peter 3:12). Those who claim to be Christians, but haven’t gone through the baptism process, or continue to do wrong, are regarded by the Bible as sinners. Their prayers will not be answered by God. They won’t benefit from the promises of God. “It isn’t right to take the children’s food and give it to the dogs’’ (Matt 15:24-27).

Anointed Christian

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission has approved the takeover of Shell (PNG) Ltd by InterOil Corporation. Feb 27

Sirinumu Dam Water Level Update

Our call to the community remains. We need your assistance to ensure they are hauled in and made to answer to the crimes which they allegedly have committed.

Madang provincial police commander Superintendent Jacob Singura on the recapture of escapees.

Iamo – oldest girl in Kaparoko

Notice the women seriously

IAMO Wari was born at Papaka – known today as Babaga. She does not know the date, but said she was a small girl when war planes circled above their village and they were told to lie flat on the ground or run into the scrub. She married Veali Namo from Maopa, also in the Central Province and they produced seven girls. When the fourth daughter, Lydia was a year old, Veali died and Iamo brought up the girls as a widow. Today, she is the proud grandmother of 45 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren. She is satisfied that her children have succeeded in life. For instance, Lydia Veali (INSET; pictured with the mother), has been looking after the Post Courier archives for 25 years. This is Iamo’s achievement in life, her legacy.

Iamo said there was no school in their time. But working back from the time the planes flew over their skies, her age was put at around 89. She had been visiting Lydia for a month in the city and wanted to go back to Kaparoko; she said she missed the sea and the breeze. Her secret to longevity was believing and trusting in God. She was a deacon in the United Church at one stage. All the girls in her age group had died, leaving her to be the oldest girl in Kaparoko.

She could not believe when her husband died suddenly and left her with a handful of girls. “I was lost,” she said. Her husband worked as a cook for an expatriate public servant and they lived in his boy house at East Boroko. When the white man transferred to Samarai, he took his house boy and that means Iamo also. He brought them back to Port Moresby when he got transferred, soon after which Iamo and her husband went to the village. “My husband never went to school properly (chuckle) so he never told me the name of his master or the place his master came from. You, see, we were newly married”, Iamo said.

Iamo is a tattooed person; one of those early customs. Girls in her time had their entire body tattooed. When she goes, she will be the last of them with the tradition. At 89, Iamo still has a few strides left in her step. When daughter Lydia was counting the grandchildren, Iamo made sure the names were correct “so the people from the newspaper got what they wanted”.

It is interesting that with her kind of background, Iamo is concerned that the names of her grandchildren and that the exact figure is given to the newspaper. We see the same thing during World War II; men who knew no word of English getting along with wounded white soldiers. This is the same spirit that gives people their dignity - the drive for self-reliance, respect and honour in their communities. Papua New Guineans were independent long before the country gained independence. Women raised the families; the number one resource and backbone of the nation. Lifestyle is changing and caring for the old and the aged has become an issue.

Pictures: BARNEY ORERE

Friday: Strategies for Nationhood

‘Govt needs to be changed’

BY PEARSON KOLO

THE remote Mul-Baiyer district in Western Highlands Province last Friday played host to five Opposition MPs, including Leader Don Polye and deputy Sam Basil.

The five Opposition MPs were in the district to officiate at the launching of a community association witnessed by more than 3000 people in Baiyer.

During the occasion, both Polye and Basil told the MulBaiyer Lumusa people that the Government was corrupt, operating on ad hoc basis and

Judge allows appeal

BY JACOB POK

A WOMAN who was found to be a non-citizen but lived most of her life in Papua New Guinea has been allowed to apply for citizenship on humanitarian grounds.

needed to be changed.

They told the people that the Government has borrowed a lot of money during the past three years and is putting the country into a serious financial crisis.

The two leaders said this is evidential with public servants not being paid and tertiary students are missing out on the Government scholarships on Tuition Fee Free education policy.

The two leaders said the Government has now put the country in a situation where it now calls for a change.

“Prime Minister Peter

PUBLIC NOTICE

O’Neill is running the country on ad hoc basis and is running the country into a financial crisis where public servants in the country are not being paid and tertiary students are missing out on Government sponsorships,” Mr Polye told the crowd.

“We on the Opposition side are talking too much because we see that the country is not being run properly and there is a need for change in leadership.” Mr Polye claimed the Government does not have policies and guidelines to govern and was relying heavily on policies.

PORT MORESBY SEWERAGE SYSTEM UPGRADING PROJECT

Relating To Eviction of ILLEGAL Settlers on State Land

This is to advise the General Public and the Property Owners that, by virtue of the powers conferred through Section 62 of the Physical Planning Act & NCDC Building Board Act, the NCDC Physical Planning Board have approved the construction of Port Moresby Sewerage Treatment Plant Access Road through Portion 116 in the National Capital District to the proposed Sewerage Treatment Plant at Horse Camp, Joyce Bay – Port Moresby South.

The Access Road will start from Scratchley Road and run through Portion 116 (State Land – Formally Portion 832) between the Kilakila Primary and Kilakila Secondary Schools and through Portions 2648C, 2650C, 2651C, 2652C & 2653C to Joyce Bay as shown on the attached map.

ORDER TO VACATE IMMEDIATELY

All Residents without proper Physical Planning or Building Board Approvals and residing illegally on State Land identified within the road corridor are advised to vacate the land immediately so that construction of this important State project can commence by Tuesday March 15, 2016.

Port Moresby

The National Court made this ruling and also restrained the Immigration and Citizenship office from deporting the woman to the United Kingdom (UK), the country of her citizenship.

Tammy Tomscoll lived three-quarters of her life in PNG, was married to a citizen and her children are also citizens. Her mother is also a PNG citizen. However, Tomscoll was on the verge of being deported after the Immigration office found that she was not a PNG citizen and did not have any record of ever obtaining a PNG citizenship.

A directive was issued by the Chief Immigration Officer on April 15, 2015, advising Tomscoll to leave the country. Knowing that she would be deported, she filed a case at the National Court as plaintiff seeking orders for her not to be deported. She named the Chief Immigration Officer Rabura Mataio, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato and the State as defendants in the proceeding.

The National Court presided by judge heading the human rights track, Justice David Cannings last week found that the move by the Immigration office to deport Tomscoll was harsh and careless. The court found that Tomscoll lived most of her life in PNG and had no home or place of residence in the UK. “To give her one way ticket to the UK is harsh,” Justice Cannings said.

The judge said the duty of the court of justice was to protect human rights and make orders in the interest of justice.

He therefore ordered amongst others that the Chief Immigration officer be restrained from deporting Tomscoll and withdraw his direction of April 15, 2015, for Tomscoll to leave PNG.

The court also ordered that the defendants to be restrained from taking any further steps towards removing or deporting the plaintiff Tomscoll without the leave of the National Court, which shall be sought in separate proceedings started by way of originating summons.

The court further ordered the defendants to facilitate the application for PNG citizenship for the plaintiff in accordance with the relevant laws and take all steps necessary to ensure that the plaintiff Tomscoll’s application for PNG citizenship is heard and determined as soon as is practicable.

The court would return on March 31, to check on the compliance of the orders.

Anyone defying these orders will have all impeding structures including houses, fences etc. demolished without compensation and without further notice

For more information please contact:

The Project Director

Kumul Consolidated Holdings

P.O. Box 320, Port Moresby, National Capital District. Telephone: (675) 320 3565

THE five Opposition MPs, Leader Don Polye, Deputy Sam Basil, Rai Coast MP James Gao, Goilala MP William Samb and Lae MP Loujaya Kouza in Baiyer River district, Western Highlands Province, during the launching of an association there. Picture: PEARSON KOLO

Tomscoll lived most of her life in PNG and had no home or place of residence for her in the UK...

DAVID CANNINGS

If you have a story to tell, call us on 309 1042, or email twaketsi@spp.com.pg

Communities elated over service delivery

BY KILA NAO

COMMUNITIES in the Moresby

South electorate have received timely service delivery in their respective areas by MP and Sports and Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

Last Saturday, Tkatchenko delivered seven dinghies and motors, including life jackets, to Koki, Vabukori and Fisherman’s Island while the other delivery was a brand new truck to the Dogura settlement along the Magi Highway.

The equipment is worth over K300,000 and is from the District Services and Improvement Program (DSIP) funding.

Koki United Church pastor Colin Wala was overwhelmed with the timely gesture.

“I am grateful to the Minister as we were lucky enough to be among many communities in Moresby South electorate whose turn had come.”

He said they had been waiting for a while for such help.

Pastor Wala shed tears of joy and thanked the minister for keeping his commitments.

Mr Tkatchenko said: “The dinghies were given for economic benefits for the people who will use it for fishing and to sell at the markets.

I will be allocating another 20 more dinghies and motors to the next lot of recipients in the next 12 months and hopefully, train more motor mechanics

JUSTIN TKATCHENKO Moresby South MP

“I will be allocating another 20 more dinghies and motors to the next lot of recipients in the next 12 months and hopefully, train more motor mechanics.”

Mr Tkatchenko also delivered a new truck to the Dogura settlement, which he personally drove and presented to the people.

He also gave K50,000 to the Goodness Bay women’s group, which will enable them to use it for various programs and activities.

Mr Tkatchenko told all the groups to take ownership of the vehicle and use it to serve its purpose in a more meaningful way.

“The truck is for the whole community and let us all work together and use it wisely so that everyone can benefit,” stated the Minister.

DOGURA settlement community leaders around the new truck with Moresby South MP and Sports and Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko last Saturday.

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Lakari urges officers to utilise society’s services

BY SIBA MESA

THE Highlands regional office of the Police and State Services Savings and Loan Society Limited has relocated and was reopened last Saturday at Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.

The new office is located at the Mt Hagen Kimininga police barracks and will serve loans to policemen and women from various provinces in the Highlands region.

The official opening was done by Western Highlands provincial police commander Superintendent Martin Lakari and the savings and loan society general manager Muser Malong.

Mr Malong said they lost their old office when Kapal Haus got burnt down but thanks to the Mt Hagen police quarter master, they were kindly assisted with an office space. However, it was shut

Shortage of staff at hospital

BY SIBA MESA

THE shortage of staff at the Mt Hagen General Hospital is one factor that contributes to the increase in maternal deaths at the hospital.

Currently, the hospital’s medical staff consists of two specialist medical officers, four training registrars, one health extension officer (HEO), two resident medical officers (RMO) and three RHEOs. At the maternity ward, there are 18 nursing staff and two support staff, two midwives, seven nursing officers, nine community health workers (CHW), a ward clerk for both the labour ward and Ward Seven and two hygiene staff.

And at the labour ward, there are 20 nursing staff and one hygiene staff, nine midwives, two nursing officers, nine CHWs and a hygiene staff, all working eight-hour shifts.

The staff are doing more than 5000 deliveries a year at the labour ward but with less manpower, babies and mothers are at great risk of dying. Sadly, more than 3000 deliveries take place in rural areas without medical supervision from a health worker. This was revealed by the Mt Hagen obstetrics and gynaecology head of department, Dr Joe Kuk, at the safe motherhood forum held at the McRoyal Hotel in Mt Hagen.

Most pregnant mothers arriving at

MEANING: Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy.

the Mt Hagen hospital are unbooked, meaning throughout their pregnancy period, they have not visited clinics or hospitals to get medical advice.

And because of that, most maternal deaths, maternal conditions requiring hospital admissions, disability and near misses, occur during labour and delivery. This puts the mothers and babies’ health at risk.

Maternal deaths for 2014 and 2015 recorded at the Mt Hagen hospital show six deaths. Those deaths could’ve been avoided if the mothers had visited a health facility.

There is also a big gap in antenatal clinic where family planning awareness and health education awareness needs to be carried out to the communities and rural areas. But then again, manpower is needed.

It seems that funds allocated for Mt Hagen hospital have not reached the designated area and health workers are not sure where the money is.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

down for two years due to a decision made by the previous PPC.

The loan society’s GM presented new computer sets to the staff of Mt Hagen police in appreciation for using their office space for some months.

Mr Malong said this service is important for police personnel because it creates an avenue for them to get financial assistance at their doorstep.

The processing of applications will be done here at Mt Hagen while payments will be done at the headquarters via the BSP kundupei services, where the loans will be transferred straight to their accounts.

Superintendent Lakari encouraged police personnel in the region to make use of this office and be a member as this service is doing the same job as other financial institutions.

NCDC TELEVISION PRODUCTION

NCDC invites expressions of interests from reputable TV/Video production companies for the production of NCDC News and other related productions.

The company desired must be fully established with proven experience, relevant logistics and trained personnel and with a financial capacity to sustain operations.

Further desired is creativity and strategic planning with relevant format for desired results. Interested companies are asked to provide all relevant details meeting the requirements including production cost as well as relevant airtime cost to the following address:

The City Manager National Capital District Commission

P.O Box 7270, BOROKO

National Capital District

All submissions must be clearly marked, “NCDC Television Production.” and dropped off at the City Hall Reception.

Closing date for submissions is 11th March, 2016 at 3:00 pm.

Authorised by LESLIE ALU City Manager

NEW computer sets presented by the Police and State Services Savings and Loan Society Limited general manager Muser Malong and staff, to WHP PPC Superintendent Martin Lakari and his officers in front of the new relocated office.

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Young dentist empowers locals

BY ANCILLA WRAKUALE

A YOUNG dentist from East Sepik Province has gone out of his way to help people from his village earn an income through a small bilum project, using his own funds and resources.

Two years ago, Dr Preston Karue initiated a bilum project in Burui Kunai Local Level Government of the Wosera-Gawi District.

Today, the people there have embraced the small project, which has now become a catalyst for development for them.

Dr Karue said the main income for the people living on the Sepik Plains was through sago and cocoa but still, that was not sufficient to support them with their daily necessities.

“People would carry about 20kg of wet cocoa beans and walk for miles to sell at the main road but the money earned is not enough to better progress their life,” he said.

At a glance

STRUGGLE: People would carry about 20kg of wet cocoa beans and walk for miles to sell at the main road but the money earned is not enough to better progress their life, Dr Preston Karue says.

The bilum project has opened up their concept of development and now they are seeing money in the village and are able to do other things.

“To date, the two villages from there have made about K15,000 from the sale of over 700 bilums and as the customer base has expanded, the project is now expanding to more villages to try to meet the demand for bilums

“In addition, a youth craft project has been initiated which will also engage all of the youths from the area,” the dentist stated.

He said the bilums are slowly making their way into international markets in Australia, Europe and Vanuatu.

He uses his free time, his own funds and resources to travel to Port Moresby to sell the bilums for the villagers, who cannot afford to access such markets.

He sells the bilums at very affordable prices, starting as low as K10 per bilum

Dr Karue said he’s fed up of sitting around, waiting for things to happen, so as an educated Papua New Guinean, he’s using his own initiative to help small village people access basic services through economic empowerment.

“If we sit around and wait for the Government to do it, it will never happen. We have got to do it ourselves and start small somewhere.

“It is my dream to expand the project model to the whole of the Wosera-Gawi district and other parts of the country,” he said.

EAST SEPIK PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Office of the Provincial Supply and Tenders Board

Office of the Chairman

INVITATION FOR BIDS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW WEST YANGORU HIGH SCHOOL FACILITIES ESPSTB TENDER – ESPSTB-001/16

The East Sepik Provincial Supply & Tenders Board (ESPSTB) on behalf of the Yangoru Saussia District Development Authority invites written sealed bids for the Construction of a New West Yangoru Boarding High SchoolFacilities at West Yangoru LLG in East Sepik Province funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea.

The West Yangoru High School is one of the many essential infrastructure projects the Yangoru Saussia District has committed to establish in it’s District to provide educational Services to the people of Yangoru-Saussia District. This new West Yangoru High School will serve students from other Districts in East Sepik Province as well.

The Yangoru Saussia District Development Authority is therefore seeking Tenders from qualified and experienced Building Companies to undertake the following works:

Tender No. ESPSTB-001/16 Construction of new West Yangoru High School Buildings and support Amenities.

Proposed Scope of Works

The design, Procurement of all parts, materials, machinery, Labour, tools, equipment etc for the Construction of the new West Yangoru High School and includes but not limited to the following: 1. 1 x 8 in 1 Double Storey Classroom 2. 2 x Toilet/Laundry Facility 3. 2 x Double Storey Dormitories

4. Kitchen/Messing Facilities 5. 1 x Head Teacher’s House 6. 6 x Teachers’ Houses 7.Standby Genset/MSBand shed

Bid Validity 30 days

Bid Security K5,000 for bids under K1 million K10,000 for bids under K5 million K25,000 for bids under K10 million

Tender Document Fee A non-refundable fee of K2,500 per set of Tender Documents in the form of a Bank Cheque payable to East Sepik Provincial Supply and Tenders Board.

Bid Delivery Place The Chairman East Sepik Provincial Supply & Tenders Board East Sepik Provincial Government Building (BMS), Krier Heights, Wewak Free Mail Bag, WEWAK East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Closing Time & Date No later than 15:00 PM onMonday 7thMarch, 2016. Late Bids will not be accepted.

Contact Details Mr. Joseph Konji Executive Officer East Sepik Provincial Supplies& Tenders Board Phone: (675) 456 1393, 71252693. Fax: (675) 456 2860 Email: jkonjiespstb2014@gmail.com

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. Interested Bidders must arrange with their agent (s) or a Courier firm of their choice to pick up Tender documents and similar arrangement must be done for the lodgment of their bid(s).

2. Bidders must clearly address the outer envelope containing their bid with the address as indicated above in the Bid Delivery Place and marked with the tender number, description of the project, closing date and time.

3. The East Sepik Provincial Supply & Tenders Board will not be held liable for any miss-handling.

Authorized by:

Mrs. Elizabeth Kaprangi Chairman

PMV crew plan to sue police officers

BY ANDREW ALPHONSE in MADANG

POLICE brutality on innocent motorists and passengers is on the rise on the Highlands Highway from Mt Hagen to Madang and Lae.

Recent victims of this issue are a public motor vehicle (PMV) operator and his crew, who are currently nursing injuries sustained through the hands of Madang based police Rapid Response Unit (RRU).

PMV driver Ian Yaki, 37, and crewmember Joshua Huwa, 23, are both from Pukepora village in Tambul, Western Highlands Province.

On February 19, the two took passengers in their 25-seater bus from Mt Hagen to Madang. At about 9pm, they arrived at Tapo Creek check-point outside Madang.

Mr Yaki said they were stopped and searched by the unit with vehicle registration number ZPD 653. The RRU seized two bags of marijuana inside

the bus belonging to two suspects believed to be from Kainatu, Eastern Highlands.

The suspects were apprehended while the rest of the passengers were allowed to get into Madang town.

Mr Yaki said after dropping off the other passengers, he had two girls who wanted to see their policeman father at Yomba police station so he drove there. The RRU soon arrived at the station with the two suspects and demanded the crew to reimburse their bus fare.

Their response that the suspects had travelled to Madang so the bus fares would not be refunded infuriated the policemen, who punched, kicked and hit them with rifle butts.

Both are now in the processing of obtaining their medical reports and would seek legal action.

Several attempts to speak to the Madang PPC were unsuccessful as of last Friday.

TOP: Dr Preston Karue paying a village woman for her bilum at Vagiput village in East Sepik Province. The woman earned about K300 that day from her bilums Pictures: PRESTON KARUE BELOW: Some of the bilums from the Burui LLG of Sepik Plains that were on sale in Port Moresby last weekend. They were selling for as low as K10.

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Poor living conditions

Authorities urged to help

BY SHARON LOWA

POLICE officers at the Kokopo police barracks in East New Britain have raised concerns over their poor living conditions.

The officers claimed that most of the families at the barracks are living under leaking roofs, sleeping over rotting floorboards and using toilet and kitchen facilities that are unfit for human use.

The Post-Courier visited the barracks to prove these claims and saw the bad state of the officers’ sleeping quarters and how they have managed to build makeshift extensions to be more usable for their families.

When inspecting the houses together with the health inspector from Kokopo Urban LLG, the water taps in the

Studies close down at campus

STUDIES at the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNG-UNRE) – Oro Campus, Northern, have been closed down following the National Government’s decision to cater for another institution. It was the Government’s decision following the need for an agricultural institution to cater for students from the southern region of the country.

This change was announced during the dedication service and the introductory program of the PNG UNRE orientation and registration on Monday.

Acting vice chancellor for UNRE, Dr Samson Laup, said all continuing students from the Oro campus were now at the main campus at Vudal in East New Britain, being joined by the new intakes for 2016.

Dr Laup said there are about 80 to 100 continuing students and the new intakes for this year are yet to be confirmed after the one week orientation and registration.

UNRE will de-amalgamate its Oro campus from UNRE by the end of 2016 for the Government to roll out

its plans for the new Eastern Papua Agro-Technical Institution that would take over the facilities on the ground and expand from it.

Some of the staff have been moved to the main campus at Vudal, while a majority would stay back to make sure there is a smooth transition to the new institution.

Dr Laup said this move follows the Government’s decision to set up six institutions across the country and also included is another of UNRE’s campus, the Bionic campus in Maprik, East Sepik Province. The new institution would be under the National Government and the Northern Provincial Government’s responsibilities.

He said UNRE is still a very young university and there is a need to fully establish the institution properly on solid grounds before expanding outside.

Currently, the university is undergoing some maintenance works to its buildings to cater for these changes and the increase in the number of students on campus.

K1m approved for students

TERTIARY students from Rabaul district in East New Britain Province will benefit from an approved K1 million allocation to the tertiary tuition fee subsidy program for this year.

The Rabaul District Development Authority board, under the chairmanship of Rabaul MP Allan Marat, recently approved K1m, which is an increase of K200,000 from last year’s subsidy funds of K800,000. Around K400,000 has been allocated for payment of subsidies for students

At a glance

FIXING: Most officers have taken it upon themselves to fix the leaking taps and tighten up the pipes carrying wastes out of the houses with ropes and plastics to stop the leakages.

bathroom, toilets and kitchen were leaking and pipes transporting wastes out of the houses into the sewerage were also leaking.

Most officers have taken it upon themselves to fix the leaking taps by tightening up the pipes and carrying wastes out of the houses with ropes and plastics to stop the leakages, but over time, the problem still remains.

These issues have been raised with those in author-

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

ity but to date, nothing has been done.

One of the officers said when he approached his superiors, he was told to get a quote for the leakages in his bathroom and toilet, which he did; it added up to about K10,000.

However, when the quote was sighted, he was later told to reduce the cost to K5000 and to date, nothing productive has come out of the quote.

The officer said they have put up with the situation for too long and go to work protecting people’s lives, yet they were living in health hazardous environments. He hopes the authorities will address this issue.

The Kokopo Urban LLG health inspector last week declared the barracks “unfit for human occupation”.

attending universities in the country and abroad while K300,000 has been earmarked for students in colleges.

A total of K150,000 will be used to subsidise students’ fees for those attending private tertiary institutions in the country while K100,000 will fund subsidies for students attending Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions in ENB.

The board has also approved K20,000 for the setting up of a Rabaul district scholarship foundation.

Late: Mrs. Elsie Pondraken

E Mrs ie lsie

The Board, Management and Staff of the National Capital District Commission is in grief over the untimely passing of Mrs Elsie Pondraken on the evening of Friday 26th February, 2016 at the Port Moresby General Hospital after a short illness.

NCDC extends sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family in particular the husband and the children Jacinta, Sonoran and Franco and her two grandchildren along with her only brother Manuaii.

The late Elsie Prondaken served the Commission with loyalty and diligence for 16 years as the Senior Executive Personal Assistant to various Principal Legal Officers of the Commission including the current until her death.

NCDC is at loss over her passing considering the professional commitment she had to the Commission with the Legal Division and for the friendly and pleasant personality she had for everyone that crossed her path.

A dedicated public servant who also served in various capacities

in other government departments and agencies contributing 40 years of her life in service to the government and people of Papua New Guinea.

Elsie will be sadly missed by her colleagues in the Legal division and as well by the rest of the Commission.

With prayers and thoughts for the family and for a dear friend who had no barriers in the execution of her duties and whose openness created many friends.

May Her Soul Rest In Eternal Peace

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

(Hauskrai is at her residence at Section 26 Allotment 16, Lahara Avenue, Boroko.)

HEALTH inspector Helen Tade looking at broken pipes carrying wastes out of an officer’s house recently.

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K21m road works to begin in Halia

New resource centre for agency

BY ANTHONY KAYBING

LEITANA Nehan Women’s Development Agency has been providing support to women and men alike in Bougainville for over 24 years.

Though initially created with the intent of assisting women suffering from domestic violence and other social problems in north Bougainville, the agency has broadened its approach to helping a wide range people and includes central and south Bougainville.

To consolidate its commitment to helping women, the agency is currently embarking on building a new resource centre to house the necessary functions of the NGO’s services.

The idea of building the resource centre came after a visit by former United States Ambassador to PNG, Walter North, who suggested the building of a resource centre to cater for their needs.

As an act of goodwill and unilateral cooperation, the Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency Resource Centre was co-funded by the New Zealand, American and Japanese governments respectively to the tune of K200,000.

“The new complex will offer better counselling facilities for our clients and office space for our staff,” LNWDA executive director, Helen Hakena said.

“The resource centre will not serve the women of North Bougainville only, it is open to all Bougainvillean women throughout the region.

“We will provide services for women and children and even men who are in need of our services to ensure their welfare is taken care of,” she added.

ABG mining issue ‘sensitive’

RAIBRO Construction Limited, the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the National Government have launched the commencement of road works yesterday.

Secretary of Technical Services Bernard Tzilu, when speaking at the ceremony, said this has been a long wait for the people of Halia Constituency.

This was after they had raised their grievances with the colonial Government in the 1960s regarding tax collection when there was no road access, and yet the Government was collecting

The bottom line

OWNERSHIP: The people must take ownership of the project and support it and not distract the workers or management as there are proper channels to follow if anyone has any grievances, he stated.

CHANGE: Mr Karaston said this will also see the living lifestyle of the people change. He thanked Raibro Construction Limited for their commitment and looked forward to the end result.

CONTRACT: This contract is worth K21 million for 10 kilometres from Salasa to Hagus and will be for a six-month period, and for the first phase of 20 kilometres.

tax from the people, which resulted in a fight.

“That resulted in the road being built for the people by the Australians and named the John Teosin Highway,” Mr Tzilu said.

“And it has been a long wait for the people to have the road sealed and the onus is now on the contractor, supervisers and management to ensure this road project is completed.”

Work on the second sealing by Jomik Plant is continuing.

Minister for Transport and Works Luke Karaston said if funds are available then the project will continue.

The people must take ownership of the project and support it and not distract the workers or management as there are proper channels to follow if anyone has any grievances, he stated.

Mr Karaston said this will also see a lifestyle change. He thanked Raibro Construction Limited for their commitment and looked forward to the end result.

National Department of Works manager David Tupp said this contract was awarded following proper

procedures and processes after three companies were shortlisted.

Dekenai and Covec had been given contracts from Central to South Bougainville while Raibro was given this one.

He said this contract is worth K21 million for 10 kilometres from Salasa to Hagus and will be for a six-month period, and for the first phase of 20 kilometres.

Work on the second sealing by Jomik Plant is continuing.

The ground breaking ceremony attracted villagers from nearby areas of Salasa village.

THE sensitivity of mining on Bougainville is an issue that is entwined with its political future.

There are varying views on how to address mining on Bougainville, some want mining to reopen while others have opted for its continued closure.

ABG Minister Robin Wilson has urged people to talk to the ABG members and air their views.

“To those who are keen to lodge your applications for tenements, you will need to wait until the matter of the moratorium is resolved; the law is clear,” he said.

ABG Minister for Works Luke Karaston cutting the bamboo, meaning that the people will now see a new way of life.

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS At a glance

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Market Snapshot

PNG takes hard line on PACER

BY ROSALYN ALBANIEL

PAPUA New Guinea is taking a hard line approach insisting on removing the “most favoured nation” provision under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations plus.

It is also insisting that Australia and New Zealand make legally binding commitments to assist Pacific Island Forum countries with trade facilitation and border trade assistance.

On top of that PNG is insisting on maintenance of policies for industry growth and development targeted at employment creation.

PNG’s hard stance was delivered yesterday at the high level meeting of PACER Plus in Brisbance, Australia by Ambassador designate to the United Nations Max Rai.

At the meeting PNG’s refusal to sign the agreement was also made known as earlier advised.

Mr Rai on behalf of the Minister for Trade Commerce and Industry Richard Maru

He said PNG viewed PACER Plus as a mere conventional free trade agreement.

“PNG is concerned that the development of our local industries will be threatened by heavily subsidised and technologically advanced industries in Australia and New Zealand.

“This will create negative impacts for our government which is already trying to grow our economy parallel with our local industries through

$A higher after RBA rate decision

SYDNEY: The Australian dollar is higher after the Reserve Bank left interest rates on hold at two per cent.

At 1700 AEDT on Tuesday, the local unit was trading at 71.46 US cents, up from 71.38 cents on Monday.

Moody’s Analytics economist Emily Dabbs says the dollar was pushed down in the morning by data showing weaker-than-expected Australian exports, which are forecast to contribute nothing to December quarter GDP growth, and figures showing further contraction of China’s manufacturing sector.

However, she said the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave the cash rate on hold at its record low of two per cent had given the dollar a boost in afternoon trade.

“It’s been a bit of an up and down day I suppose you could say,” Ms Dabbs told AAP. “The Aussie has had a lot of factors pushing it both ways.”

However, Ms Dabbs tipped the local currency to drift slightly lower in overnight trade.

“We’ve had both Aussie and Chinese data disappoint, which isn’t great, and the RBA not cutting rates, but maintaining their bias,” she added.

“So on balance that would be pushing the dollar slightly downwards.”

At 1700 AEDT, the Australian dollar was at 80.47 Japanese yen, down from Monday’s close of 80.58 yen, and at 65.64 euro cents, up from 65.24 euro cents.

Australian bonds were also higher following the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave rates on hold.

At 1630 AEDT on Tuesday, the March 2016 10-year bond futures contract was trading at 97.645 (implying a yield of 2.355 per cent), up from 97.595 (2.405 per cent) on Monday.

State reviews tax structure

By ROSALYN ALBANIEL

THE PNG government is reviewing its tax structure and tariff reduction program to ensure it is relevant to PNG’s current economic outlook and development aspirations.

Speaking at the high level meeting on PACER Plus yesterday in Brisbane Australia, outgoing director generaltrade Max Rai said the current low commodity prices are having an adverse impact on the country’s economy.

“The government is trying to diversify the economy and move towards downstream processing of our resources and the development of new sustainable industries.

“Over many years PNG has been a net exporter of raw materials which is then processed by importers and re-exported back into PNG as value added products at a high cost.

transformation of primary industries into secondary and tertiary industries and create new jobs for our unemployed populations,” Mr Rai said.

He said from recent figures in 2014 PNG had trade deficits of K517 million with New Zealand and a K6.3billion with Australia.

“The trade balances will only get larger as presently PNG is not on equal footing with Australia and NZ to benefit from the agreement.

“It is priority that PNG maintains

its policy space to grow its agricultural and manufacturing industries,”Mr Rai said.

He said the interim partnership agreement signed with the European Union in 2009 and ratified in 2011 which has seen PNG maintain market access for its canned tuna exports had greatly assisted in growing an industry worth about K2 billion, created employment for 80,000-100,000 Papua New Guineans. This was a benchmark and PNG would not easily be swayed.

New policy to strengthen, facilitate trade progress

BY ROSALYN ALBANIEL

PAPUA New Guinea is in the process of finalising is first ever national trade policy to strengthen co-ordination and facilitate trade support.

This was made known to participants at the high level meeting on PACER Plus held in Brisbane, Australia by the out-going director general-trade, Ambassador Max Rai.

Mr Rai was there representing the Minister for Trade Commerce and Industry, Richard Maru.

Mr Rai said PNG had been without one since independence and this has been made a national priority.

He said the policy was critical and

would ensure that international trade is not conducted on an ad-hoc basis and decisions are not made in isolation as had been practice.

He said the trade policy is being developed with assistance from the European Union under its TradeRelated Assistance II project. PNG is expected to launch this policy soon.

Meanwhile, participants were told that the PNG Government is reviewing PACER Plus and will not be dictated into signing any agreements.

Further that any agreement must provide the much needed growth and development aspirations for its private sector and its economy which had not been the case with some

agreements signed in the past including the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Corporation Agreement (SPARTECA) and the PNG Australia Trade and Commercial Relations Agreement (PACTRA).

“PNG has signed a number of agreements in the past. Most of these trade agreements were dictated by our developed country partners.

“After 40 years of experience PNG has learnt a hard lesson and we want to ensure we don’t repeat the same mistake. Australia and New Zealand have failed to build confidence and trust in PNG and I believe in some other Pacific Forum Island Countries (FIC),” he said.

“PNG continues to import a bulk of its food worth billions of kina which are suppose to be processed and distributed onshore,” he said.

Mr Rai lamented that previous trade agreements had failed the country in this area adding there is no genuine investment in large scale farming and food processing industries.

“Our population of eight million people is growing and the need to feed our people and create employment is a priority,” he said.

NGE welcomes new executive chairman

NEW Guinea Energy Limited has welcomed the appointment of the new executive Chairman David Lamm into the company.

In an announcement made yesterday the board said Mr Lamm’s extensive investment skill is best poised to drive future growth for NGE with the new corporate strategy of the company.

Mr Lamm was appointed on a $240, 000 per annum inclusive of superannuation including a performance incentive payment that is up to 100 per cent of fixed remuneration at the discretion of the board and dependent on meeting certain key performance indicators.

Investment Promotion Authourity to conduct database, spot survey in NCD

AMBASSADOR designate to the United Nations Max Rai.

Financial literacy sees 3000 graduates

MORE than 3000 residents of Madang Province yesterday celebrated the completion of a financial literacy course, bringing the total number of course graduates to almost 100,000.

The course is part of the Microfinance Expansion Project an initiative supported by the Asian Development Bank and the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The graduation ceremony, at Waduin Primary School, Banu village, North Coast Road, was led by Benny Popoitai, chairman of the project’s steering committee, and Christopher Gibson, second secretary of the Australian High Commission, representatives from the National and Provincial Governments, with representatives from the Bank of Papua New Guinea were also in attendance.

“The Microfinance Expansion Project is providing fundamental financial knowledge to huge numbers of rural people,” Mr Popoitai said.

“This will enable them to open bank accounts and, access credit and start businesses, thereby spurring economic activity. Many people in the rural areas do not fully understand the financial concepts of running a business and how to go about operating a small business,” he stated.

The project, which was launched in April 2012, aims

Fuel supply low due to bad road conditions

BY MATHEW YAKAI

TRANSPORTATION of fuel to Madang and the Ramu Nickel mine is being hampered by deteriorating road conditions.

Most businesses are also affected due to lack of fuel supply caused by delays in transportation as a result of bad road conditions.

Transportation by IPI fuel tankers from Madang to Ramu NiCo’s KBK mine in Bundi area is said to be one of the worst task given the bad road conditions between Madang and Usino Junction.

Continuous landslips, drops in parts of the highway, collapsing bridges pose detrimental affects to business investments in Madang, including Ramu NiCo and IPI.

Ramu NiCo previously transported fuel from Lae but changed to Madang due to to collapse of bridges.

At a glance

GRADUATION: More than 3,000 residents of Madang Province yesterday celebrated the completion of a financial literacy course, bringing the total number of course graduates to almost 100,000.

COURSE: The course is part of the Microfinance Expansion Project an initiative supported by the Asian Development Bank and the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea. The course will enable them to understand business.

to increase financial inclusion in PNG and provide financial literacy training to 130,000 people by the end of 2018 to help them manage and understand business.

It recognises the need to support the financial and social empowerment of women, with women making up almost half of all trainees to date.

“Having women make up almost 50 per cent of the participants is a key achievement of this project,” said Andrea Iffland, ADB’s Pacific liaison and coordination office Regional Director.

“The knowledge women get and share with others will help get more women banked and engaged in the formal economy.”

THE drop in the world metal prices is having an effect on PNG’s only nickel mine in Ramu, Madang Province, as well. But despite the downturn, the mine is poised to maintain production levels. It said they are hoping that nickel price will improve from the current historical lowest of around $US8000 (K24,970) per ton, according to LME, to an improved price. The decline in commodity price has hit hard on extractive companies and Ramu NiCo is no exception. Ramu NiCo employees and the management are committed to maintain operations up until improvements are made to trading prices. Words and picture by Matthew Yakai

PPL calls on Govt to pay up

BY MELISHA YAFOI

POWER supplier PNG Power Limited needs between K300 million and K500 million to overhaul its operations to provide the energy requirements of the country.

It has asked the Government to assist with that level of funding but has not received a positive response as yet.

Chief executive officer John Yanis revealed this last Friday when bemoaning a non-paying customer base which he said comprised mainly Government agencies which have paralysed the energy sector.

He said the company was now seriously contemplating

strategies to upgrade services amidst low revenue earnings caused by the non-paying Government sectors.

The Government sectors owe PPL a lot of money.

“I do not have good customers who do not pay their debts to PNG Power Limited.

“I give good supply but you don’t pay me, so how can I run a business like this, and the Government departments are the worse, they don’t pay me for the power they use.

What will I do, so it’s a give and take here, if you pay me then I will use that money to do something if you don’t pay I can’t do anything.”

Mr Yanis said in the power

sector they need everyone to work together so that they can be able to play their part in delivering reliable services.

“Soon there will be disconnection notices going out because of nonpayment of bills from the largest organisations in the country.

We are talking to the heads of departments getting them to know that they owe us so much because we need that money to sustain our branches,” he said.

He said fuel cost is one of the biggest problems they are facing and they needed the money to keep the smaller centers going to allow for the smooth provision of electricity.

“To be precise I need money, we really need cash and injections from the Government so that when that money comes then we can improve.

I have also asked if the Government can push in about K300 million to K500 million so that we can carry out work and improvements can be made but nothing has happened to this date.

As I’m speaking I don’t have the money to do anything, not even scraps so that’s the problem I’m having to deal with what I can do and what I can maintain so those are the issues that I’m facing right now,” a frastrated Mr Yanis stated.

EFM opens new facility

BY JOAN BAILEY

THE new state-of-the-art freight facility by Express Freight Management in Morobe Province is significant in the operation of the company.

The facility was built to meet international standards so overseas buyers can have confidence in trading with PNG commodities such as coffee, cocoa and tea.

This new facility was a designated international freight hub and is sited on an 8000m2 block with a 3000m2 tilt slab warehouse, a concrete container pavement with large awning and container stacking yard.

In a media release EFM marketing manager Marisa Howden said that the facility is equipped with the latest equipment such as cargo handling forklifts, four coffee bulking machines and pallet racking for 1000 pallets by having exceeded all statutory approvals and works 24/7 upon customer and cargo demand.

EFM branch manager Dan Simpson said this new facility will greatly increase the EFM quality standards to a

higher level by assuring PNG exporters that all their cargo is handled in a professional, safe and secure manner to avoid problems or damages that can happen to the cargoes if not handled properly.

Ms Howden said the facility will cater for PNG’s valuable export and import industries specifically cargo operations for export coffee warehousing and packing; import container freight station/light container load unpacking and warehousing; export tea, cocoa, general & LCL shipments; and fumigation on site of imports and exports.

She said the EFM is very pleased with the efficiency gains and workability of the new facility and says this is just one of a number of new freight developments in the pipe line for 2015, 2016 and beyond.

Mr Simpson said they EFM also welcome all overseas buyers and potential buyers for a site inspection if they wish to because the facility is located adjacent to PNG Ports in Malaita Street with all operational and clerical staff onsite to assist them.

TWO pump employees with Ramu NiCo at KBK mine attending to IPI fuel tanker.

RAMU NICO POISED TO MAINTAIN PRODUCTION LEVELS

BSP to deliver projects

BANK South Pacific is set to deliver K1.1 million worth of 45 community projects in the country this year to beat 2015’s record of 39 delivered.

The first of the 45 projects has been delivered by BSP’s Wabag branch with a renovated classroom and a new water tank for students at Sangurup Elementary School.

School Chairman John Iamau, expressed his gratitude adding he was surprised to see the job completed on time and thanked the staff for their contribution and support saying the school board and staff were pleased that BSP chose their school.

“We have a new water tank, and this keeps our students within the school ground. They don’t need to go to the creeks to fetch drinking water.

More importantly, with the renovated classroom, our students are comfortable and enjoy the learning environment provided for this, we thank the staff for their initiative, time and effort,” Mr Iamau said.

He said BSP had surprised such a small community to have this big project delivered on time and was done well.

It took the volunteered BSP staff a month to work on the project by assisting to fit in the V-crimp on the wall, assembling the PVC pipes and gutters, fitting plywood for corridors and ceilings, cementing and aligning the footpaths, installation of window frames and painting the classroom under the supervision of a local building contractor.

Wabag branch manager Theresa Pilamp when handing over the project said it is part of the bank’s culture to give back to the communities in which it operates.

“BSP takes its responsibility as being a leader seriously and this is shown in its contributions back to the community. BSP usually focus on health, education and sports,” she said.

ANZ announces new digital banking head

ANZ yesterday announced the appointment of Maile Carnegie to the role of Group Executive digital banking reporting to chief executive officer Shayne Elliott.

Ms Carnegie joins ANZ from Google where she had been managing director Australia and New Zealand since 2013.

Previously she was managing director for Procter & Gamble in Australia and NZ.

She worked at Procter & Gamble for over 20 years including as general manager for Asia strategy, marketing and design based in Singapore and in senior marketing and

commercial roles in US.

At ANZ Ms Carnegie will lead the strategic development and delivery of a superior digital experience for the bank’s eight million retail, commercial and institutional customers, as well as for its staff. This includes digital projects, innovation and strategic relationships with the FinTech sector. Reflecting digital’s importance to ANZ’s performance, Ms Carnegie will also have shared responsibility for the financial results of the bank’s Australian and New Zealand divisions.

Ms Carnegie will be a mem-

ber of the group executive committee and have group responsibility for marketing including ANZ’s brand, advertising and sponsorship.

Commenting on Ms Carnegie’s appointment Mr Elliott said: “Digital banking is at the heart of our strategy to create a superior experience for our customers and our people.

“We have a great digital foundation with applications such as GoMoney and FastPay and the recent redevelopment of anz.com. Ms Carnegie’s appointment recognises that digital is central to driving revenue growth and to successfully

competing in a changing and disrupted environment where technology and brand are key sources of differentiation.

“Part of Ms Carnegie’s role will also be to shift our thinking and champion a groupwide innovation culture at ANZ based on developing and attracting service-focused, technology-literate, innovative and experimental people and teams. This includes being the sponsor of a new digital business transformation leadership program created jointly by ANZ and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

MAILE Carnegie appointed by ANZ as of yesterday to the bank’s digital banking executive .

money

Importance of saving money at the bank

ALTHOUGH Government officials have reassured every Papua New Guinean that indeed PNG is not broke, many families are feeling the pinch of it, thus the importance of saving.

When you think about money management, saving is a great place to start. And it doesn’t mean just saving a Kina here or there. What we are talking about is every time you get some money, whether it’s your paycheck or a tax refund or a gift, you choose to set aside some of

Bank finances water system

THE National Development Bank (NDB) staff in Lae, Morobe Province recently visited the Nadzab New Camp Block and had the honours of turning on the tap to a new bore water system that was funded by the Bank.

The bore water system valued at close to K75,000 is for a Niugini Table Birds (NTB) poultry project that is owned by local, Brian Yaga.

NTB was to provide 10,000 birds and other items however the project could not get off the ground without water accessibility.

NDB Lae Branch Manageress, Nathalie Kaman said water accessibility in the area is an issue for its settlers who are faced with the hurdle of having to walk four kilometres to the Erap River to fetch clean water.

Before the war, Nadzab New Camp Block used to be an old airstrip used for emergency landings where transport and small passenger aircraft used the airstrip for emergency landing.

Today it is home to nearly two thousand settlers with more people acquiring land.

Seeing the need for water in order for the project to eventuate, Mr Yaga sought financial assistance from the bank to construct a bore water system to be connected to the shed that will house the chicks.

The bore water system has been fully complete and is now awaiting phase two of the project which is the installation of the feeders and drinkers and the delivery of the day old chicks with sales expected in June this year.

Kaman said this experience defines job satisfaction at its best. “The Bank is making a difference in people’s lives and this project is considered special as it will have big economic impact on the people living in this area.”

She said: “The project will create employment and create wealth for small SMEs in other spin off business.

Meanwhile, Yaga has thanked NDB for the financial support that has contributed to his poultry project getting off the ground and is encouraging liked minded people like himself to consider NDB when trying to start up or grow their business.

that money - saving money for unexpected expenses and the future.

Being able to afford large purchases, such as a car, a home, or the cost of a university education, requires saving large amounts of money, gradually, over time. And let’s face it: if you stash your money away in a drawer or under your mattress, it’s not very safe. And the amount you have definitely won’t grow.

But if you deposit your money in accounts that pay interest, your money will be safe and will earn

interest. Now the amount of interest you earn will depend on which account you choose and the amount of money you keep in the account over time.

For a brighter financial future, you want to earn the most interest you can on the money you save. Get into the habit of saving.

Keep your money safe

Earn interest

Be prepared for surprise expenses

Afford large purchases

Achieve major goals

NDB Lae Manageress, Nathalie Kaman and long serving staff Jack Rava testing the tap of the new bore water system funded by the bank.

THE NEW S7 SERIES COMING SOON

Quick news

WATER MONITOR

QUEENSLAND authorities will increase water monitoring in parts of the Great Barrier Reef amid fears of mass coral bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority says February and March represents the highest risk period for mass coral bleaching because of hot and dry conditions, and patchy bleaching has already been detected on multiple reefs where the corals are frequently exposed to lots of sunlight.

PRIORITY LANDING

AN AUSTRALIAN budget airline jet made a priority landing in Melbourne on Tuesday after an unusual odour filled the plane’s cabin, officials said.

Emergency personnel were on standby when the Tiger air Australia plane, reportedly carrying about 60 people, landed shortly after 10:00 am (2300 GMT Monday). “I can confirm that there was an emergency called by a pilot on a Tiger air flight,” a Melbourne Airport spokeswoman told AFP. “The plane landed safely.”

TRADEMARK

KYLIE Minogue is trying to stop Kylie Jenner from using “Kylie” as a trademark in America.

And the singer’s lawyers aren’t pulling any punches. They’ve filed documents describing the Keeping up with the Kardashians star as a “secondary reality television personality” who participates in “photo exhibitionism.”

Father of sex abuse victims testify

A MAN whose two daughters were raped by a priest has confronted George Pell, telling him “I am a broken man” after the Cardinal’s second day of testimony via video link to the child abuse royal commission.

Cardinal Pell faced the commission from a Rome hotel, drawing gasps from survivors as he declared the crimes of notorious paedophile priest Gerard Ridsdale were a “sad story” but “not of much interest” to him at the time.

Anthony Foster’s daughters Emma and Katie were raped by Melbourne priest Father Kevin O’Donnell when they were in primary school in the 1980s.

Mr Foster confronted Cardinal Pell outside the hearing at the Hotel Quirinale, saying he had given up hope the Cardinal would fix the church’s so-called Melbourne Response to the abuse scandal.

“He held my hand for the whole duration of the chat that we had and I expressed to him that he was holding the hand of a broken man, and he put his other hand on me and tried to I suppose connect in some way, but I didn’t feel it,” Mr Foster said. - ABCNews.

“IT Governance & Risk for Non-IT Professional”

IIA–PNG in partnership with IIA-Australia

Course Date: 21 - 22 March 2016– Two (2) Days Training

Venue: Holiday Inn &Suites –POM

TRAINER:Jason Masters FAICD, MACS (Snr) CA, CGEIT, CFIIA, CRMA, CFR, JP

Jason Masters is a Professional Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors (Australia), holding a number of professional qualifications including being a Fellow and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certification in Risk Assurance (CMRA), Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Jason has held the Chief Audit Executive role at two major corporations and a number of senior internal and IT audit roles.

REGISTRATION FORM

Personal Details (use a separate form for each person)

FirstName: Surname: Position/ Designation: Organization: Mailing Address: Phone: Fax: E-mail: 2 Day(s) CourseFee: *Early-BirdRegistrationNormalRegistration*

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Non-member (per person) K2, 200.00 K2, 500.00

*Early Bird Registration: Open Monday, 7th December2015 and closes 29thJanuary 2016, thereafter normal registration*

*Payment must be done priorto attending the Course. Payment Deadline end of 12thMarch 2016

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a 10% Discount

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Bank: Bank of South Pacific – Waigani

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Please send this form to: The Institute of Internal Auditors-PNG Chapter P.O. Box 705, Port Moresby, NCD

Visit us on Facebook 1st Floor, MonierHaus, Nita Street, Boroko, Ph:(+675) 325 2293Mobile:(+675)76118334 /70657699 Fax:(+675) 325 2158Email:contact@iia.org.pg / iiapngchapter@gmail.com

Indigenous Aussies not impressed by PM comments

THE country’s peak elected representative body for Indigenous Australians says it is less than impressed by the Prime Minister’s latest comments on Indigenous affairs.

In an extensive interview with Stan Grant on National Indigenous Television (NITV), Malcolm Turnbull said there was “no silver bullet” to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage and reiterated that he wanted to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

At one point during the interview, the Prime Minister was moved to tears over a story of Indigenous separation, and the demise of traditional language.

But the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples says it has been waiting for a meeting with the Prime Minister since September last year.

Congress co-chair Rod Little said his organisation first sought a meeting with Mr Turnbull when he took over the job in September last year.

“There was a tinge of hope,” he said.

“But now there’s the rhetoric that’s come back, that I’ve always seen when there’s a change in leadership. You have some hope that things are going to change, but there’s not much hope there.

“We saw the opportunity in his words, when he was saying he wants

At a glance

DISADVANTAGE: There was “no silver bullet” to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage and reiterated that the PM wants to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people...

to have this renewed relationship.

“But that kind of commentary has been around again and again, for many governments that I know.

“If you want to have a relationship with the First Peoples then a logical start point would be with the elected representative body.”

Mr Little said he still hoped his organisation could meet with the Prime Minister. “I am disappointed but I’m optimistic,” he said.

“I’m reaching out and saying look, we are here. We want to do things. Things have to be done by us, for us, with us.

“Now look, I’m optimistic. I’m frustrated because I see the same kinds of comments … Time and time again, and the results of that rhetoric is the results that we have today — no closing of the gap, no, high incarceration rates, high suicide levels — all of those things.” - ABCNews.

ANTHONY Foster told Cardinal Pell “I am a broken man” as he shook hands with him. - ABC News: Lisa Millar

Quick news

NZ RAISE AID TO FIJI

NEW Zealand has boosted its support to Fiji after Cyclone Winston by another $US1 million, taking its aid package to just over $US3 million. Its foreign minister Murray McCully said most of the additional aid would go towards repairing power lines and infrastructure in some of the worst affected areas. The remaining third would go towards additional relief supplies and technical support. The announcement came following Mr McCully’s visit to Fiji yesterday.

TOWER DESTROYED

$US465m damage bill

CYCLONE Winston which hit Fiji nine days ago has caused an estimated $US19.4 million worth of damage to schools throughout Fiji.

The Fiji Times reported that the amount is expected to rise as assessments are still being carried out.

About 240 schools were reported damaged or completely destroyed.

The paper reported that damage to the agriculture sector is estimated at $US47.5 million. The Government has

estimated a total damage bill of $US465 million.

Meanwhile, aid workers in Fiji have praised the Government for the “colossal” effort to open more than 1000 schools yesterday.

UNICEF spokesperson Alice Clements said with so many schools partially or completely damaged, the Government had asked her organisation for “School in a Box” kits, with each one holding a tent and materials for a class of 40.

She said children would need ongoing support and it was vital to get them straight back into their routines. “The importance of this really can’t be overstated,” she said.

“We have decades of experience now that proves that getting kids back into school as quickly as possible is the fastest way to help them recover emotionally, it’s the fastest way to keep them safe and it’s the best way to support recovery efforts overall.”

Ms Clements said UNICEF

had “prepositioned” supplies in Fiji before the cyclone, and was now replenishing them from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and flying more in from Denmark. They included water purification kits, sanitary pads and soap and hygiene kits. Save the Children New Zealand child and family psychologist Melanie Patterson said the children would need to talk about their nightmarish memories from Cyclone Winston in order to recover.

A MAJOR communication tower for Fiji’s remote Lau island group was completely crumpled by Cyclone Winston The tower used to stand on Mago Island, which is owned by actor and film director Mel Gibson. It provides communication to Vanua Balavu, which was decimated by the category five cyclone. It also links to Yacata, Kaibu and Lakeba islands. The pilot for Mago Island, Neil Covert, took the first aerial photos of Vanua Balavu last week and said the villages were unrecognisable.

PRESIDENT IN JAIL

FRENCH

Polynesia’s disgraced president will not appeal against last week’s conviction in

the appeal court which gave him a suspended 18-month jail term for misuse of public funds over his invasion of privacy. Gaston Flosse had earlier been convicted in the criminal court for abusing $US10 million in public funds by running the spy agency with its staff of 19 out of the presidency office.

VIOLENT CONFLICT

A VIOLENT confrontation between tour operators in the Vanuatu capital, Port Vila, has resulted in police being called to the wharf to restore order. The incident saw angry taxi and bus drivers throw stones at a bus belonging to Adventures in Paradise, which was carrying passengers. They had seen a company representative enter a cruise ship and suspected he had sold tours onboard. However, the passengers on the buses had prebooked their tours in Australia.

ROAD UPGRADE

MAJOR roadwork to upgrade and repair the main South Tarawa road network in Kiribati has been opened. The 33km road stretches from the Betio business district to the airport at Bonriki and includes eight kilometres of feeder roads, numerous tidal barriers as well as speed humps is about to complete. The $US57.5m project was in part funded by the World Bank with assistance from Australia and the International Development.

CHILDREN in the Nadalei evacuation centre - the Catholic School classrooms - on 26 February 2016. - Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet

Law bars Suu Kyi from Myanmar’s top post

RAIDS AND ARRESTS

THE Indonesian Government has implicated one of the terrorists involved in the 2004 bombing of the Australian Embassy in January’s deadly Jakarta terrorist attack. Indonesia’s most senior minister after the President made the revelation as Indonesia continues to make raids and arrests linked to the attack on January 14, which left eight people dead. Iwan Darmawan, also known as Rois, has now been isolated, but it is further confirmation that the attack was planned behind prison walls.

CLAIMS DENIED

ONE of the five booksellers who went missing from Hong Kong has said he will give up his right to live in the UK. In a televised interview, his first public appearance since going missing, Lee Bo denied he had been abducted by Chinese officials. Mr Lee is one of five men linked to a Hong Kong publisher who disappeared late last year - the publishing house sold books critical of China’s leaders. His supporters believe the TV interview was done under duress.

RAPISTS CONFESS

MYANMAR’S Parliament

brought forward yesterday

the date of presidential elections from March 17 to March 10, when three nominees from the Lower House, the Upper House and the military will be announced.

The person who wins the most votes will become the country’s new president, while the two others with few votes will automatically become vice-presidents.

However, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi will not be able to assume the highest office, given Myanmar’s current constitution barring anyone with a foreign spouse or child from ruling the country.

The announcement followed

TACTICS: It’s become clear that amendment of article 59 (f) (barring Suu Kyi from becoming president) is impossible. So NLD wants the presidential nomination to happen earlier so that they can take more time in handling cabinet formation...

weeks of talks between the NLD and the military that has stood by the constitution.

“We took time in the hope that we could negotiate with the military to suspend section 59(f),” the Myanmar Times quoted a senior party official as saying. “But now we accept that this can’t happen so we have given up on this plan. We’re reverting to

our previous plan, which was to nominate a proxy president instead of Daw Aung San San Suu Kyi.”

Myanmar’s Parliament dominated by the National League for Democracy (NLD), which swept historic elections in November, will change the date of presidential elections, previously set for March 17, according to the agenda for

Tuesday’s parliamentary session.

NLD members and analysts say the party was likely to speed up the vote to end weeks of bickering between the army and the NLD over whether junta-drafted constitution, which bars Suu Kyi from becoming president, should be amended.

The original date, set only two weeks before the term of the new Government was set to start on April 1, gave Suu Kyi plenty of time to negotiate the terms of the transition.

But in the face of the unrelenting military, Suu Kyi decided to speed up the vote to gain time to prepare for Government, analysts say.

“It’s become clear that

amendment of article 59 (f) (barring Suu Kyi from becoming president) is impossible. So they want the presidential nomination to happen earlier so that they can take more time in handling cabinet formation,” said political analyst Yan Myo Thein.

The NLD swept the historic Nov. 8 election, securing some 80 percent of elected seats in parliament, or enough to push through its president.

Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency because she has foreign children.

Another factor that may have forced the NLD’s surprise change of tactics was lack of cooperation from the outgoing administration of President Thein Sein.

- Reuters/CNA/pp

FIVE Cambodian fisherman have confessed to raping and assaulting French tourists on an isolated Thai beach, Cambodia’s foreign ministry said in a statement yesterday. Thai police said four French tourists were attacked late on Saturday on Koh Kood, a remote island near Thailand’s maritime border with Cambodia known for its untamed jungle and pristine beaches. Thai police investigators said the attackers swam from their fishing boat to assault the group and raped two women at knife point. They were caught while trying to escape.

SCHOOL EMPTY

A SCHOOL in western Sri Lanka has been emptied of all but one pupil amid false rumours that the boy has Aids. Parents removed their children from the Kurunegela school last week, despite the six-yearold having a certificate proving he does not have the disease. His mother said many other schools had rejected him because her husband’s death had been wrongly blamed on Aids. School officials told the BBC’s Sinhala service they would try to hold a session to educate parents.

Mummified body of a German sailor found

THE mummified body of a German sailor has been found slumped in the cabin of his yacht, drifting off the Southern Philippines.

Police in the town of Barabo, on Mindanao island, are investigating after the yacht was found by local fishermen about 100 kilometres off shore.

“When they (were) about to go home, they noticed one white yacht floating with destroyed sail,” a Face book post by the Barobo Police Station said.

Fisherman Christopher

The bottom line

Rivas boarded the yacht and saw the mummified corpse sitting in what was believed to be the radio room.

Mr Rivas and his companions towed the yacht to shore, where police officers began their investigation.

Documents found on aboard identified the yacht as the Sajo and the dead man as Manfred Fritz Bajorat, 59, but the cause of death was unclear, Inspector Mark Navales said.

The man was found seated at a desk, slumped over on his right arm “like he was sleep-

ing,” Inspector Navales said.

Forensic examiners said it was not clear when the man died and noted dry ocean winds, hot temperatures and salty air had helped preserve his body.

The investigation found no obvious signs of violence or foul play.

Items inside the yacht were scattered, Inspector Navales said, and although the man’s wallet was not found, the yacht’s radio, GPS and other valuable items were still there.

Forensic criminologist Dr

Mark Benecke, from Cologne, told the German Bild newspaper that Mr Bajorat’s posture suggests death from natural causes.

“The way he is sitting seems to indicate that death was unexpected, perhaps from a heart attack,” he said.

Documents recovered from the yacht include portraits, what appear to be family photos, and certificates from when Mr Bajorat and his wife Claudia crossed the equator aboard the ship Hyundai Renaissance in 2008.

“Nothing can resist the human will that will stake even its existence on its stated purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli

MYANMAR’S National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi leaves after she attended as an observer for opening of the new Upper House of Parliament in Naypyitaw February 3, 2016. - REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

- ABC

THE yacht Sajo was found drifting with a broken mast. -

Supplied: Barobo Police Station

Trump, Clinton to battle it out

Duo appeal to voters

WASHINGTON: White House

hopefuls Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are poised to pass a point of no return on Super Tuesday, if as expected they outrun their rivals on the biggest voting day of the primary season.

With just hours to go before polls open, the Republican and Democratic frontrunners fended off rivals and appealed to supporters in a dozen states, a day before they head to polls.

If they win big on Tuesday night as the presidential nomination race broadens following a string of statewide votes, it could spell doom for their challengers.

Clinton was riding high after thrashing rival Bernie Sanders Saturday in South Carolina, but she was leaving nothing to chance, travelling to multiple states to urge a strong turnout.

“I need your help to go and vote tomorrow, to bring people to vote with you,” she implored to a crowd in Springfield, Massachusetts yesterday.

She also took aim at the increasingly hostile campaign rhetoric on the Republican

POLITICS RACIST: Donald Trump, whose incendiary campaign has turned the American politics on its head, has a political target on his back.

side led by the brash real estate mogul Trump.

“What we can’t let happen is the scape goating, the blaming, the finger-pointing that is going on the Republican side, which not only sets a bad example,” she said. “It really undermines our fabric as a nation.”

Trump, whose incendiary campaign has turned American politics on its head, has a political target on his back.

With mainstream favourite Marco Rubio intensifying his personal attacks and stressing Trump would have serious weaknesses in a general election.

The Florida senator warned supporters in Tennessee that US media and critics will jump on Trump “like the hounds of hell” if he wins the nomination. - AFP/de

11 expectant mothers confirmed with Zika

MEXICO has confirmed 11 pregnant women are infected with the Zika virus, out of a total of 121 cases, the Government said yesterday.

Most of the cases were identified in the southern Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, according to a health ministry report.

From the eleven, eight of the pregnant women are from Chiapas, two are from Oaxaca, and one is from the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, the health ministry reported.

The number of cases of pregnant women infected by the virus has risen since mid-February, when the health ministry said there were 80 confirmed cases of Zika, including the six cases of pregnant women with the virus.

Much remains unknown about the Zika, including whether the virus actually have cause micro-

cephaly, a condition marked by unusual small heads that can result in the developmental problems.

Brazil said it has confirmed more than 580 cases of the microcephaly. Most of them are related to Zika infections in the mothers.

Brazil is investigating more than 4100 additional suspected cases of microcephaly.

- Reuters

Court rules ‘no FBI access to iPhone’

A JUDGE in the United States has ruled that the Apple cannot be forced to give the FBI access to a locked iPhone in a case that echoes an ongoing legal battle.

The judge in Brooklyn denied a motion by the United States justice department to get Apple to unlock a phone in a drug case.

In an unrelated case, the FBI wants Apple to unlock the iPhone of Syed Rizwan Farook, who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California in December.

But Apple has resisted, calling that demand is “dangerous” and that is “unprecedented”.

The ruling in Brooklyn on Monday centres on the same point as the San Bernardino case.

Fourteen people were killed and 22 injured when gunman Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire in the Californian city in December.

A court order in California demanded Apple help circumvent security software on Farook’s iPhone, which the FBI said contains crucial information.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said the request was “an overreach by the US Government” and risked giving authorities “the power to reach into anyone’s device to capture their data.”

Last week, the company asked a court to overturn the ruling.

The United States Justice Department said it planned to appeal against the Brooklyn ruling.

MAP of Democratic and Republican primaries on ‘Super Tuesday’, as well as the latest number of delegates already obtained by candidates. - AFP/Colin HENRY, Kun TIAN, Alain BOMMENEL

number of cases of infected women has

Police and refugees clash in Paris

CLASHES have broken out between French riot police and asylum seekers as authorities began destroying makeshift shelters in the grim shantytown on the edge of Calais known as the “Jungle”.

Police lobbed tear gas canisters at protesters as around 20 workers moved in to start pulling down the shacks by hand on Monday.

As night fell some 150 people threw rocks and struck vehicles heading for England on a

Quick news

ACTOR DIES AT 99

US ACTOR George

port road which runs next to the sprawling camp.

Several trucks and cars were blocked by asylum seekers on the stretch of road overlooking a piece of ground which had previously been part of the Jungle.

Australian Kirsten Shirling of the Good Chance theatre group, based in the Calais camp, told ABC NewsRadio the protests flared up again on Tuesday morning.

“About 9 o’clock this morn-

Kennedy, who starred in movies including Cool Hand Luke and the Naked Gun series, has died at the age of 91, his grandson has announced. Cory Schenkel said his grandfather died on Sunday morning in the city of Boise, Idaho, celebrity news website TMZ reported. Kennedy won an Oscar in 1968 for Best Supporting Actor in Cool Hand Luke As well as the Naked Gun comedies, he also made memorable appearances in Earthquake and Airport 1975.

UN VOTES ON NKOREA SANCTIONS

THE UN Security Council plans to vote on a resolution that would dramatically expand existing UN sanctions on North Korea in response to its Jan. 6 nuclear test, the US Mission to the United Nations said yesterday. The vote is expected to come during a meeting that begins at 3 pm (2000 GMT) on Tuesday, an official at the mission told Reuters. Last week the United States presented to the 15-nation council a draft resolution it negotiated with China that would significantly tighten restrictions after North Korea’s nuclear test and rocket launch, and create what it described as the toughest UN sanctions regime in two decades.

SOLDIERS SECURE POLLS OFFICE

JAMAICAN reservist soldiers reinforced security at electoral offices yesterday after a final count of votes cast in last week’s general election narrowed the winning party’s majority to one seat in the heavily indebted Caribbean nation. The Opposition Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) was declared the victor of Thursday’s closely fought election but after a second count authorities stripped it of one seat, reducing it to 32 of 63 seats. One more constituency remains to be recounted. The tight election reflects division about Jamaica’s economy, with the winners promising low taxes and job after years of austerity under an IMF program. The ruling People’s National Party was credited by many with restoring economic order.

FIGHTING AT REFUGEE CAMP

ISRAELI forces shot dead a Palestinian during a gunfight in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian medical sources said yesterday, as troops fought to rescue two soldiers who were attacked after straying into a violent trouble spot, the army said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said a 22-year-old man died of gunshot wounds and six were wounded in the violence at the Qalandia refugee camp. Israel’s chief military spokesman, Brigadier-General Motti Almoz, said five soldiers were hurt. An Israeli police spokeswoman said five paramilitary border policemen deployed to help extract the two soldiers were also injured.

WOMEN FORCE TO VIRGINITY TEST

AFGHAN women and girls accused of so-called moral crimes are often forced to endure invasive and scientifically questionable “virginity tests” by Government doctors, according to human rights advocates. Improving the lives and rights of women remains a major challenge in Afghanistan nearly 15 years after a US backed military campaign ousted the Taliban’s hardline Islamist regime.

CHRIS ROCK ACCUSED OF LABEL

US COMEDIAN Chris Rock has been criticised for a joke he made while hosting the Oscars ceremony, at the expense of Asian Americans. Activists accused him of perpetuating racial stereotypes when he introduced a group of accountants, who turned out to be three Asian children in suits.

ing they brought in the bulldozers and about 50 police cars and over 100 police with chainsaws, a water cannon and literally started evicting people by force,” she said.

“Houses were pulled down by chainsaws and bulldozers, and when people were defending their houses that’s when the teargas was fired.

“Obviously people retaliated. There was a lot of tension. We think probably around 200 homes were destroyed today.”

The demolition of the southern half of the camp began after a court petition by charities to stop it was rejected last week. The French operation came as dramatic scenes emerged on the border between Macedonia and Greece as asylum seekers used a steel pole to break down a barbed wire fence. About 7,000 people are stuck on the Greek side of the border trying to get through to Macedonia, and tensions

boiled over at the Idomeni camp overnight.

Asylum seekers ripped away barbed wire from the border fence before using a pole as a battering ram to smash a section open. Around 300 people forced their way through a Greek police cordon and raced towards a railway track between the two countries.

They threw stones at Macedonian riot police and shouted: “Open the border!”

Authorities responded

with several rounds of tear gas, fixed the fence and then called in reinforcements. At least 30 people, many of them children, requested first aid in the stampede that ensued, the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said. Skopje said one of its policemen was hurt and required hospitalisation. The protest occurred several hours after Macedonia allowed just 300 Syrians and Iraqis to cross. - ABC

Microsoft Windows 10 now unifies all

BY MICHAEL MUCHMORE

WINDOWS 10 seems to have lifted the pall that covered its predecessor, Windows 8. With more than 110 million devices running the new OS

within 10 weeks of its launch, Windows 10 has outpaced even Windows 7’s adoption rate, and that already dwarfs the entire Mac OS X installed base of about 80 million.

Microsoft has stated that the

Windows 10 would no longer be a static piece of code that’s updated just once every few years, but continually updated in a software-as-a-service model.

The first major upgrade in

this system is upon us. It’s not a complete redo, but does offer some nice tweaks and new capabilities.

Windows 10 is designed to appeal to Windows 7 users who were scared off by Win-

dows 8’s tiles by presenting a more-familiar desktop interface with the trusty-old Start menu.

But the operating system represents a whole lot more than simply the return of

the overly lamented Start Menu. It’s intended to unify the desktop PC, tablet, smartphone, game console, and Internet of Things devices with a single OS and a single app store.

Ensure your computer safe from malfare

IT’S your responsibility to keep your computer safe from the many kinds of malware that are out there. These malicious applications are designed specifically to steal your data, destroy it, or even hold it for ransom.

Not only are you protecting yourself, but you’re also protecting everyone else who might come in contact with your PC, if it should get infected. Fortunately, the most important step you can take to stay safe isn’t particularly difficult. Install antivirus. It’s that simple.

In truth it’s unlikely you’ll get hit with an actual computer virus. Malware these days is about making money, and there’s no easy way to cash in on spreading a virus. Ransomware and data-stealing Trojans are much more common, as are bots that let the bot-herder rent out your computer for nefarious purposes. Modern antivirus utilities handle Trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, ransomware, and more. PCMag has reviewed three dozen different commercial antivirus utilities, and that’s not even counting the many free antivirus tools.

Nine more commercial antivirus utilities proved effective enough to earn an excellent four-star rating, and another seven earned three and a half stars.

Of course, we’re reviewed many more, but those antivirus utilities that received scores of less than three stars don’t qualify for inclusion in this “best of” listing.

Almost all of these products are traditional, fullscale, antivirus tools, with the ability to scan files for malware on access, on demand, or on schedule. A couple are outliers, tools meant to enhance the protection of traditional antivirus. As for just relying on the antivirus built into Windows 8.x or Windows 10, that may not be the best idea. In the past, Windows Defender has performed poorly both in tests and independent lab tests, though it did score a win last September and again last October. Maybe Microsoft’s slump is ending?

Take the results reported by independent antivirus testing labs very seriously. The simple fact that a particular vendor’s product shows up in the results is a vote of confidence, of sorts. It means the lab considered the product significant, and the vendor felt the cost of testing was worthwhile.

Origin of the computer

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL – NATION WIDE

THERE is no easy answer to this question due to the many different classifications of computers. The first mechanical computer, created by Charles Babbage in 1822, doesn’t really resemble what most would consider a computer today. Therefore, this document has been created with a listing of each of the computer firsts, starting with the Difference Engine and leading up to the computers we use today.

The word “computer” was first used

THE word “computer” was first recorded as being used in 1613 and originally was used to describe a human who performed calculations or computations. The definition of a computer remained the same until the end of the 19th century, when the industrial revolution gave rise to machines whose primary purpose was calculating.

First mechanical computer or automatic computing engine concept

IN 1822, Charles Babbage conceptualised and began developing the Difference Engine, considered to be the first automatic computing machine.

The Difference Engine was capable of computing several sets of numbers and making hard copies of the results. Babbage received some help with development of the Difference Engine from Ada Lovelace, considered by many to be the first computer programmer for her work and notes on the Difference Engine. Unfortunately, because of funding, Babbage was never able to complete a full-scale functional version of this machine.

In June of 1991, the London Science Museum completed the Difference Engine No 2 for the bicentennial year of Babbage’s birth and later completed the printing mechanism in 2000.

In 1837, Charles Babbage proposed the first general mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine contained an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), basic flow control, and integrated memory and is the first general-purpose computer concept.

Unfortunately, because of funding issues, this computer was also never built while Charles Babbage was alive. In 1910, Henry Babbage, Charles Babbage’s youngest son, was able to complete a portion of this machine and was able to perform basic calculations.

The wireless mouse, keyboard

SINCE a keyboard and mouse are essential to the operation of your PC – whether you’re at work or play – an almost infinite number of both are currently available in the marketplace.

Although wired peripherals continue to be an option, they really are outdated in today’s wireless world. If you’re still wrestling with your old corded accessories, you’re probably discovering that a wireless keyboard and mouse combo is what you need to accomplish 21st century tasks – from delivering an important presentation, to dominating in online gaming, to accessing home entertainment and media applications in the comfort of your own living room.

With a wireless mouse and keyboard, you can say goodbye to those bulky cords that clutter up your workspace and keep you trapped at your desk. When you go wireless you’ll have a tidy workspace and the freedom to roam as you wish.

When you’re looking for the best wireless keyboard and mouse combo, it’s important to remember you’re purchasing a paired set.

Since you won’t have the option to mix and match these computer peripherals, both the keyboard and mouse should have most, if not all, of the features and design elements you need and want. We’ve reviewed several combos that have stellar keyboards and mice in one package. Each keyboard on our lineup offers wireless freedom and a full-size, standard layout with some distinctive and attractive add-ons.

Meanwhile, each accompanying mouse complements and enhances the functionality of its partner with its own outstanding attributes. Once you’ve determined your technical and personal needs and wants, also be sure to check the following considerations before making your final buying decision

THE Analytical Machine built by Babbage.

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 2x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 6 inclusive

Solution to puzzle SL01211

stars

March 20 - April 19

The last thing you’re in the mood to do is have conversation that will be as lengthy as it will be dull. However, this particular individual is better informed than you are about certain increasingly tricky situations. Make your questions precise and frank, and they’ll respond with clarity and welcome brevity.

April 20 - May 19

As a down to earth Taurus, you tend to tune out the chatter of those you’re fond of, but whose views about the world and life’s practicalities are totally unrealistic. While that may be true most of the time, what seem crackpot ideas may be far more worthwhile than you realise.

May 21 - June 20

Clearly, change is coming. Knowing that, you’d rather begin making plans, if not actually undertake some of those changes, right away. Do so if you must, but bear in mind that the events triggered by the eclipsed New Moon, in a week’s time, could substantially alter the situations you’re dealing with.

June 21 - July 21

Because you’re more tuned to the lunar cycle than most, you’re probably already sensing the shakeups that March’s two eclipses, on the 9th and 23rd, will trigger. While these influence everybody equally, you can begin preparing now. Those who’re ready for exciting changes will spot their promise first, and so benefit most.

July 22 - August 22

There’s a fine line between realising you’ve made unwise decisions and giving up. The real issue is that your Leo pride prevents you acknowledging you were wrong. Difficult as it is, do that and you’ll soon be discussing the nature of the problems you’re facing and, more important, potential solutions.

August 23 - September 22

Ordinarily you’ve a knack for devising quick solutions for even very complicated dilemmas. Try that now, and you’ll only need to rethink things, and within days. This has nothing to do with the quality of your ideas. Rather, with changes continuing all month, even the cleverest of plans is unlikely to last long.

September 23 - October 22

You’ve been juggling several tricky situations, each of which involves a combination of practical matters and tending to certain rather large egos. While, in some cases, there’s good reason to invest your time and, possibly, heart in these, others aren’t that important. In fact, a few aren’t worth the effort.

October 23 - November 22

At the moment, the distinction between making decisions and finalising those arrangements is an important one. Obviously, you’d rather make plans that you’re sure will last. But with March’s two eclipses shaking things up, even the simplest of arrangements will need rethinking. Knowing that, waste no time working out minor details.

November 23 - December 22

Yet again, you seem to have encountered somebody who’s incapable of making a decision without having all the facts, and time to analyse each of them. Usually that wouldn’t matter but, you’re involved, so it does. They can’t be rushed. Knowing that, busy yourself elsewhere until they’ve thought everything through.

December 21 - January 19

Both your objectives, and the plans you’ve made to achieve them, seem clear cut. But between eclipses, on the 9th and later in March, and powerful planetary activity in your sign, things won’t be as straightforward as you anticipate. Knowing that, ensure you can easily rethink those plans should it be necessary.

January 20 - February 17

Doing nothing while others make errors seems unkind. Yet you’ve already discussed their intentions, and you’ve given both feedback and suggestions. These are now being ignored, which is the reason you’re concerned. The individual in question resists taking advice but, instead, needs to learn from their mistakes. It’s that simple.

February 18 - March

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DEPARTMENT

An invitation is called for the General Public to bid for following units to be sold through Public Tender on ‘’As is Where is‘’ Basis.

LAND REGISTRATION ACT CHAPTER 191

ISSUE OF OFFICIAL COPY OF STATE LEASE

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the date of publication of this Notice, it is my intention to issue an Official Copy of the State Lease referred to in the schedule below under Section 162of Land Registration Act (Chapter 191), it having been shown to my satisfaction that the registered proprietor’s copy has been lost or destroyed.

LAND REGISTRATION ACT CHAPTER 191

ISSUE OF OFFICIAL COPY OF STATE LEASE

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen clear days from the date of publication of this Notice, it is my intention to issue an Official Copy of the State Lease referred to in the schedule below under Section 162 of the Land Registration Act (Chapter 191), it having been shown to my satisfaction that the registered proprietor’s copy has been lost or destroyed.

Interested bidders are to send their bids in a sealed envelope mark DOW DSA NO: 03/2016 to Central Supply & Tenders Board, P.O.BOX 6457.BOROKO, National Capital District.

Inspection date: 10th -11th March

The closing date is: 23rd March, 2016

Tender Application Forms can be collected from the Department of Work HQ (PTD) and PTD centers nationwide .For more information, please contact:

a/MANAGER (Plants Asserts Management) 345 1556

a/REGIONAL Asserts OFFICER 324 1557

Provincial Plant Manager - Gulf 648 1112

Authorized by:

DAVID WEREH Secretary

SCHEDULE

State Lease Volume 1 folio 201 evidencing a leasehold estate in all that piece or parcel of land known as Allotment 13 Section 15 Kiunga, Western Province containing an area of 0.0450 Hectares more or less the registered proprietor of which are LOWER OK TEDI INVESTMENT LIMITED.

Dated this 22nd day of February 2016

SCHEDULE

State Lease Volume 28 Folio 1 evidencing a leasehold state in all that piece or parcel of land known as Portion 52 Milinch of Kiunga,Raggi, Western Province containing an area of 1.6320 Hectares more or less the registered proprietor of which are LOWER OK TEDI INVESTMENT COMPANY.

Dated this 22nd day of February 2016

Alex Fasolo could face punishment

AFL

COLLINGWOOD forward

Alex Fasolo could find out on Tuesday whether he faces AFL punishment for an incident during last Friday night’s preseason match.

Television footage during the second quarter showed Fasolo apparently urinating into a cup while on the interchange bench. Fasolo tried to be discreet, putting a towel over his lap. But AFL rules forbid players urinating anywhere but in a toilet during matches.

The redevelopment of Kardinia Park meant Collingwood’s changerooms were on the other side of the ground to the bench.

The AFL website reported that Collingwood had access to Geelong’s VFL changerooms, located in a forward pocket, but the Magpies apparently were unsure whether they had access.

Rugby league’s Russell Packer was caught relieving himself in his shorts, on the field, during a 2013 NRL game.

Packer was fined $A15,000

(K34,090) for the indiscretion.

Former Hawthorn forward Mark Williams was reported for misconduct in 2008 after relieving himself before the start of a VFL match.

Fasolo booted five goals to go with 19 disposals and seven marks in the win over Geelong. AAP

At a glance

First Seal ready to raise the stakes

Holland in running for Big Wave Award

SURFING

IT COST him a broken thighbone and three weeks in hospital, but big-wave surfer Justin Holland could pocket $A20,000 (K45,454) for an 18-metre wipeout on the south-west coast of Australia.

The 39-year-old’s harrowing ride at Cow Bombie last June, near Margaret River in Western Australia, is one of nine finalists for tonight’s Big Wave Award which encompasses the entire southern hemisphere.

Holland, who also competes in the stand-up paddle boarding world tour, was knocked down by the monster wave, which he says is the biggest he has attempted to ride.

“It turned from a really good experience into an uh-oh,” he said.

“It felt like getting hit by a sledgehammer and, obviously, my leg was flopping beside me in the water so I knew something was broken.”

Holland was ripped away from his board in the wave, however with his left le g strapped in, his body was twisted to the point where his femur was shattered.

He then copped another 50foot wave to the head, before a close friend jet-skied in to save him from a potentially lethal third wave.

“My leg broke so badly that it pushed to the outside of my leg and it was like a big dagger,” he said.

HORSE-RACING

IF FIRST Seal’s work at home is any guide, then expect the four-year-old mare to prove hard to beat in Saturday’s Group 1 Canterbury Stakes.

First Seal turned in a terrific gallop when trainer John Thompson gave her a solid workout over 1200m at Randwick yesterday.

The mare came home her last 200m in a sharp 11.8s on the Kensington track suggesting she has taken good improvement from her firstup win in the Group 2 Millie

Fox Stakes (1300m).

“She’s coming along well and will strip fitter this week,” Thompson said. “It’s a tougher race but she has improved and should be in the finish.”

The Canterbury Stakes will be First Seal’s first crack at an open Group 1 event.

During her three-year-old days she contested only restricted races at the top level, either in her own age group or own sex.

Capitalist on target

Brenton Avdulla gave the thumbs up to Capitalist after taking the Golden Slipper

second elect for a test drive at Randwick on Tuesday morning.

The colt’s regular jockey Blake Shinn was absent leaving Avdulla in charge of Capitalist’s final piece of fast work before Saturday’s Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m).

“He felt great and should be hard to beat this weekend,” Avdulla said.

Bohemian Lily produced another good gallop on Tuesday when the Gai Waterhousetrained mare worked over 1400m before her return in Randwick City Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

The daughter of O’Reilly ran 37.2s for her final 600m and 11.7s for her last 200m on the Kenso.

Waterhouse is likely to aim the mare at the Sydney Cup, where she is currently a $26 chance.

Speak Fondly and English will resume in the Challenge Stakes with the latter slightly more forward in condition.

Speak Fondly, already a Group 1 winner, rounded out her prep with a gallop on the Kensington track, where she ran 38s and 12.8s for her last 600m and 200m.

If English can’t beat her this

Saturday, she won’t again.

Old Hippopus — still wondering if he’s named after Adam Hyeronimus – put in his best gallop for quite some time when working with talented import Excess Knowledge.

The pair worked over 1200m in 1:17.2 and came home their last 600m in 37.2 – very solid work. Have an each-way ticket on Hippo in the Canberra Cup on Sunday.

Country hoop Richard Bensley was told on Monday he will need to stay in hospital for six weeks following a fall at Canberra last month.

HORSE-RACING

FLEMINGTON trainer Mike Moroney faces the prospect of having his three-year-olds Tivaci and Tulsa divided between Melbourne and Sydney and racing in different versions of Saturday’s Guineas races.

Tivaci bypassed the ballot for Saturday’s Australian Guineas at Flemington by winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at headquarters last Saturday week.

He gained the victory from Palentino in a controversial protest, while Tulsa grabbed plenty of admirers with his third placing but it wasn’t enough to earn a free ticket into the Group 1 race.

Moroney says that Tulsa could be first emergency at Flemington in the 16-horse field, but will gain a start in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.

Ideally, he’d like race both to at Flemington. “Tivaci will definitely be in Melbourne and we’ll pay up for Tulsa for both races and see where he fits in,” he said. “At the moment it’s a bit risky just paying up in Melbourne because it looks like he’ll either just make the field or be first emergency, the way we have got it.”

Nicholas Hall has been booked for Tivaci and Steven Arnold will ride Tulsa, which is 23 in the order of the ballot for the Melbourne race, but 14 for the Sydney race.

FASOLO celebrates a goal for the Magpies

FIRST Seal scored an impressive first-up win in the Millie Fox Stakes

Michael Moroney puts Tulsa on standby

RULES: AFL rules forbid players urinating anywhere but in a toilets.

Billy Slater named for Storm’s opening clash

day after being cleared of domestic assault charges, while youngsters Jayden Nikorima and Jackson Hastings are in the halves.

Manly custodian Brett Stewart has been named despite doubts over his hamstring, with Api Koroisau the starting rake and Matt Parcell on the bench.

The Sea Eagles host a Bulldogs outfit reeling from news that Brett Morris (knee) is out for a further four months. Big-name signing Will Hopoate will deputise at the back.

Canberra pivot Blake Austin is a shock starter from the bench for their seasonopener against Penrith, with coach Ricky Stuart opting to ease the him back from shoulder surgery and going with Sam Williams to partner new buy Aidan Sezer in the halves.

New Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has gone with Will Smith to fill in for injured captain Matt Moylan (back), with Waqa Blake also coming in for Dean Whare (calf).

Quick news

DRUGS TEST FAILED

WORLD 1500m champion

Abeba Aregawi has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The Ethiopia-born Swede, 25, failed an out-ofcompetition test conducted by governing body the IAAF. Aregawi, who won gold at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow and 2014 World Indoor Championships in Sopot, has requested a B sample be tested. Britain’s Hannah England finished fourth behind Aregawi in Moscow. There is no suggestion Aregawi’s performance in that race is under scrutiny.

BRITISH DUO WIN

RUGBY LEAGUE

MELBOURNE star Billy Slater is set to play his first game since State of Origin II after being named for the Storm’s NRL season-opener against St George-Illawarra.

The Australian and Queensland fullback has not played since injuring his shoulder in the second game of the interstate series last June but will line up against former

Storm utility and new Dragons number one Kurt Mann. Former bad boy Russell Packer will also appear for the first time in almost 1,000 days after being picked to start at prop for the Dragons.

Parramatta captain Kieran Foran was also selected for their round-one clash with Brisbane despite speculation on Tuesday he was in doubt with a recurring ham-

Gatlin ‘breaks’ Bolt’s 100m world record on Japanese game

stormed out of the blocks with the help of a giant fan placed behind the starting position.

If that was not enough of a leg up for him, there were four smaller fans placed alongside his lane to further push him on his way to the inglorious feat.

Not surprising, then, that Gatlin was able to not only smash his personal best of 9.74 seconds, but also better the laid-back Jamaican’s alltime low.

ATHLETICS

SPRINT star Justin Gatlin has ‘broken’ Usain Bolt’s formidable 100 metres world record on a Japanese game show, but only thanks to the assistance of a series of massive wind turbines.

Gatlin’s time of 9.45 seconds will of course not stand as an official mark due to the outrageous tailwind, with Bolt’s 9.58, set in 2009, to remain safe for now.

Appearing on the show Kasupe! for a fee of $US25,000 (K78,125), the 34-year-old American, considered Bolt’s greatest rival at present,

Though this dash was all done for a bit of a giggle back in 2011, Gatlin has a record of breaking the rules in a far more serious sense.

He received a ban in 2001 after testing positive to amphetamines, and then was kicked out of the sport for eight years in 2006 for doping.

This second ban was later reduced to four years due to his cooperation with doping authorities.

Some would say he might be better avoiding zany stunts which involve cheating at track and field, but hey, 2 million yen ($US25,000) is 2 million yen, right?

string

problem. Broncos coach Wayne Bennett made just one change from the side that edged Wigan in the World Club Series a fortnight ago, handing Greg Eden his first-grade debut.

South Sydney’s 2014 premiership hero Sam Burgess will also play his first game since departing for rugby union, starting at prop in the absence of brothers George (suspension) and Tom (inju-

ry). Cameron McInnes won the race to the number nine jumper, with Damien Cook on the bench.

Boy wonder Latrell Mitchell will make his NRL debut in the centres for a depleted Sydney Roosters side missing recently sacked co-captain Mitchell Pearce (indefinite), Boyd Cordner (pec) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee).

Centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been named, just one

At the Wests Tigers, Jack Littlejohn gets the nod for suspended number seven Luke Brooks to take on a Warriors side that has pushed Shaun Johnson to six to accommodate veteran halfback Jeff Robson.

Ben Barba has also beaten Jack Bird for the fullback spot at Cronulla, to take on a North Queensland 17 unchanged from the one that took out the premiership last year and the recent World Club Challenge. – AAP

Hewitt brushes aside Kyrgios’ fitness concerns

TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has brushed off fitness concerns over Nick Kyrgios ahead of this week’s tie against the USA at Kooyong.

Kyrgios, 20, withdrew from a semi-final match at the Dubai Tennis Championships last week against Stan Wawrinka due to back pain and illness, but Hewitt is confident he will be ready to go on Friday.

“(The) back and hip don’t seem to be a problem, which is really good news,” Hewitt said.

“He’s just had a bit of a virus, so he’s just taking it easy and just trying to get over that 100 per cent and then he’ll be right to go.”

Kyrgios has been a no-show at Australian training sessions this week but is set to join his teammates on Tuesday.

“Obviously I didn’t want him around the other boys at the moment if he’s a bit in-

fectious as well, so it’s kind of a precaution more than anything.

“He’ll be ready to go,” Hewitt said.

American captain Jim Courier said Kooyong’s training courts have given him some insight into Australia’s preparations.

“We’re not blind; the practice courts are right next to each other,” he said.

“We can see what they’re doing. [But] a lot can change with these things. Until Thursday you can’t really count on anything, you can change two players off the team.

“So we’ll find out Thursday at the draw who we have. But we have to prepare for what’s been presented to us.”

Australia has fielded a near-full strength squad for the World Group first round tie.

Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic are Australia’s top-ranked singles players, with bigserving Sam Groth and doubles specialist John Peers

BRITISH duo Johanna Konta and Heather Watson are through to the second round of the Monterrey Open in Mexico. Konta, the British number one, beat Colombia’s Mariana Duque-Marino 6-3 6-3, while Watson saw off Japan’s Misaki Doi 6-4 6-7 (0-7) 6-3. Australian Open quarter-finalist Konta will play either Belgian Yanina Wickmayer or Johanna Larsson of Sweden. Watson, who has fallen to 84th in the world, faces either Hungarian Timea Babos or Slovenia’s Polona Hercog. Fourth seed Konta, 24, broke once as she took the opening set in 32 minutes. After dropping serve immediately after breaking in the second, she reeled off four of the next five games to seal her place in the next round. Watson, 23, was 2-0 down in the deciding set but broke Doi twice to advance after two hours and 47 minutes.

WINGER INJURED

also in the team.

Tomic, now ranked 20th in the world, is fresh from an encouraging performance in Mexico where he reached the final of the Acapulco Open before going down to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the decider.

In Hewitt’s first Davis Cup tie as team captain, four-time Grand Slam winner Courier said he was expecting a fired up Australian team.

But he would not be drawn on the “favourites” tag.

“It doesn’t matter one bit, we’re the away team, and we travelled to get here so that’s certainly a factor for them,” Courier said.

“The crowd will be behind them.”

American John Isner is the highest ranked player in the tie, currently the world’s 11th ranked singles player. His team-mate Jack Sock is ranked 24th in the world.

Mike and Bob Bryan will represent the USA in the doubles tie, which will be played on Saturday.

THERE’ll be no returning to Fiji this time for alternative treatment to heal a broken leg for All Black and Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo. The Highlanders defence of their Super rugby title has suffered a major setback with ruled out for up to two months with a fractured leg. It’s the same leg he injured before the World Cup last year but a new fracture said team doctor Greg Macleod. The injury occurred late in the Highlander narrow loss to the Blues in the season opener at Eden Park on Friday night. ”While this is very unfortunate for Waisake, the positive news is that this injury is not as bad as his last fracture. He is already managing well and it’s expected his rehab will take six to eight weeks,” Mccleod said in a statement.

STRIKER RE-SIGNED

THE Wellington Phoenix striker, Roy Krishna, has re-signed with the club through to May 2018.

Other A-League clubs were interested in acquiring Krishna’s services after he scored six goals in 13 games this season before sustaining an ankle injury that has put him out of action for the past two months.

The Fijian international said interest from other clubs was flattering but he had no intention of moving from Wellington.

“Why would I move when I am really happy at the Phoenix,” a smiling Krishna said. “Ernie (Merrick) is a good coach who has improved me as a player.

“I feel comfortable here; I enjoy the training and the players have become real friends as well as team-mates. “Football is my life and to enjoy it you have to be in the right surroundings.

“I like to be able to smile and that is easy to do here and I feel I still have a lot to offer the club.

BILLY Slater in action for the Queensland Maroons.

JUSTIN Gatlin

Athletes training preparations

ATHLETICS BY SIMON KESLEP

PAPUA New Guinea athletes participating for international events like the 2016 Rio Olympics have had to travel overseas to undergo training to prepare for this event.

Last week’s PNG Olympic Committee’s media blitz confirmed that almost a quarter of the athletes’ population under seven sports - athletics, boxing, judo, swimming, taekwondo, shooting and weightlifting had to travel overseas to attend training and take part in events to qualify.

Most of the athletes have to undergo months of training under the supervision of overseas-based coaches, who hold certified qualifications in training and preparing athletes for international events.

However, the PNG Boxing team has continued training preparations on home soil under the supervision of head coach Joe Aufa. Aufa is confident in having the four boxers – Thadius Katua (60kg), Charlie Keama (52kg), Andrew Aisaga (69kg), Jonathan Keama (75kg) and Henry Umings (56kg) to produce good results in Rio.

Aufa said the most important thing that the four boxers had been concentrating on throughout their past three weeks of training is about speed, movement, fitness and the determi-

nation in scoring points regardless of the new boxing electronic scoring system.

“Other sports do have their athletes training and qualifying in overseas but it all comes back to how well we can maintain the standard of performance in having PNG at the international stage,” said Aufa

The boxing team is currently working on its spurring techniques in having the boxers fully guided in their boxing pace and endurance. Aufa said their focus is on having a competitive bout against the Philippine boxers.

“Its all about speed and target scoring in having good points.

“We do have good locally-based boxers and so we need more skills, spurring competitions and also exposure at international training facilities,” Aufa added.

The boxing team will have its qualifying events like the two weeks AIBA Asia and Oceania Continental Olympic Qualifying Competition in Qian’an, China from March 23 to April 3. Meanwhile, other sporting codes like swimming will have its qualifying events by next month.

This includes the Australian Nationals in Adelaide from April 7-14, Port Moresby based Theodist Nationals on the April 22- 24 and the Oceania Championships in Suva, Fiji, on April 21-25.

Venues, facilities need upgrade

ATHLETICS BY SIMON KESLEP

PAPUA New Guinea is yet to reach its international standard of having qualified training facilities, coaches and sporting resources in developing competitive sporting talents.

In athletics, there is still a need for a suitable upgrade in track facilities as a result of having the country’s sprint queen Toea Wisil, Mowen Boino and Nelson Stone still having to spend months of training and competing in overseas-based competitions.

The other sporting code that is currently having its athletes attending overseas trainings is swimming with Samuel Seghers and Barbara Vali-Skelton both based in Brisbane. The 2016 Rio Olympics is just four

months away and the PNG Olympic Committee headed by Chef de Mission Emma Waiwai needs to confirm its required total number of athletes who have meet all the qualification requirements to attend this international event.

“The 2016 Rio Olympic is of highest ranking compared to the commonwealth and the Pacific Games and team PNG will have to make a big impact in setting good records in the various sporting events,” said Waiwai.

Last year’s Pacific Games sporting venue that hosted Olympic qualifying matches only included the Taurama Aquatic Centre for the taekwondo Oceania qualifiers. The PNGOC is focusing on setting best individual and team records and Waiwai believes that coaches

of each respective sport like athletics, boxing, judo, swimming, taekwondo, shooting and weightlifting will be tasked to prepare their athletes for the Olympics.

For shooting there is always the issue of having to pay for a box of bullet and also the safety and security of sporting shooters within the country.

The only specialised shooting facility in the country which is up at the June Valley Shooting range in Port Moresby poses another issue that the general public must understand in participating in the sport.

“Shooting involves disciplines of accuracy, body positions and the responsibility towards keeping your shooting gears all in secure possession,” said Peter Leahy and Mel Donald of the PNG Shooting Federation

Toea Wisil heading for finishing line during the 200 metre race final. By KB.

Nelson Stone won the mens 400m race. (Inset) Toea Wisil won the Womens women 400 metres.

32 teams ready for Gabagaba Nines meet

RUGBY UNION

BY PETER SEVARA Jr

THE GABAGABA Invitational

Nines gets underway today with 32 teams confirmed to participate in the three-day event ending on Friday.

Gabagaba village just a 30minute drive outside Port Moresby is expected to be hive of activities as the village community prepare to host visiting teams from Abau, Kairuku Hiri, Aroma and NCD.

Tournament director Bagelo

Ben Solien said hot teams like Rovanama, current Southern Region 9s champions and SSG Roosters, current Keleone 9s champions are front runners. They will have tough competition from Waidex Eels and Gabutu Dragons.

“We are expecting teams to arrive tomorrow (today) early in the morning to set up and games will kick around 9am in the morning,” Solien said. Solien said the tournament was held to revive the code in the village and get youths out of mischief.

His view was supported by

Central Provincial Government deputy administrator Edward Kila, who on behalf the Central Governor Kila Haoda presented K5000 for the tournament.

“Our governor has been a strong supporter of sport in Central Province and his major support was during the 2014 PNG Games iwhere Central came third after leading in the first few days of the Games,” Kila said.

Kila said Governor Haoda would continue to support sports in the province to change the mindset of youths to resort to meaningful activities that can be beneficial in the long run.

He lauded Solien for the initiative and congratulated their efforts. Solien said the tournament will go into the top 16 teams on Friday and later in the afternoon play the grand final.

The tournament will be attended by special guests, including Sports Minster Justin Tkatchenko and officers from the Central Provincial Government.

Kool: Warriors are Chimbu franchise

RUGBY LEAGUE BY KEVIN TEME POST-COURIER LIVE

SIMBU Warriors are the only franchise for Chimbu Province making their bid to participate in the 2016 Digicel Cup challenge hosted by the Papua New Guinea National rugby League.

Simbu Governor Noah Kool made the call after learning from the media that bids presented by three different intending franchises, including Simbu Warriors’ bid was were unsuccessful.

The other two franchises that presented bids were NCD Lagatois and Central Chiefs.

Kool, in his statement to the Post-Courier said: “In response to a report by the Post-Courier dated Wednesday, February 24, saying Simbu Warriors’

bid to participate in the 2016 was unsuccessful due to it not having a home ground and that Cimbu Province already has a franchise club in the Digicel Competition.

“I would like to make it clear that it was and is the wish of the people of Chimbu Province to have the Simbu Warriors which is the pride of the the province back on the field and so the Simbu Provincial Government being the custodian thereof made the decision in the interest of the people of Simbu Province giving the field to Simbu Warriors to use as its home ground and as it is now, the Dickson’s oval in Kundiawa is the home ground for Simbu Warriors.”

Kool said: “Following these events, Gerard Philip, the franchise owner of TNA Lions made the decision to relocate

to Port Moresby where the team is based now, and this is a public knowledge as Philip himself, came out on the media on this. As it is TNA Lions is a Port Moresby-based club and not Chimbu Province.”

PNGNRL chairman Sudhir Guru when asked about this earlier on said: “Kundiawa’s Dickson Oval has been suspended indefinitely due to spectator violence in last year’s Digicel Cup games and also in the grand final where two players were also cited and suspended.

Guru said the venue is also not suitable to host a Digicel Cup match until they fix the venue to an expected level by PNGNRL.

“In the mean time, all Kundiawa games have been suspended and they will play all their games away but when and only they improve

the oval to an expected level that satisfies PNGNRL, then Chimbu can host Digicel Cup matches there.”

Guru said in regards to the two franchises representing the province, it was their inhouse problem which they (Gerard Philip and Simbu Governor) can sort out themselves.

“For us, we want to make it a one team one province policy to spread evenly and we will stand to that. Right now, we know that Chimbu already has a franchise that is the TNA Lions,” Guru said. PNGNRL administrator Stanley Hondina in clarifying, said: “Simbu Warriors bid was well presented however like chairman said, we will only need one team per province and at this stage, TNA Lions is the Chimbu franchise as far as the PNG-

NRL board is concerned.”

Hondina also confirmed sending letters to the three intending franchises on the reasons of their bid being unsuccessful.

However the Simbu Governor in his media release denied receiving any formal correspondence from PNGNRL regarding the Warriors bid. Warriors bid present Richard Sinamoi when asked about this yesterday said, “ We have not yet received a letter from the NRL board and we are off the view that the NRL board is still dealing with the issue of TNA relocating to Port Moresby thus Simbu does not have representation in the Digicel Cup.”

Attempts made to get Guru and Hondina to comment on this through an email sent did not come in time before this went into press yesterday.

Young Savannah Cranes to showcase potential

RUGBY LEAGUE BY

TANYA HARO

THE Kemabolo Rugby Football League has sponsored Balawaia Savannah Cranes on Sunday in Kemabolo village, Rigo district.

Balawaia Savannah Cranes is a young team and selected side for the upcoming Gabagaba Super Nines tournament starting today.

President of the KRFL Lega Kikima and treasure Vanua Garo initiated the sponsorship purposely to engage young boys in sports.

It was very encouraging to see boys in the age group of 20 years keen to participate.

The aim of the team is to experience the 9s code and build on and continue their rugby league journey.

The team uniforms were donated by Irau Tanu family who are also from Kemabolo village. The uniforms were received by the KRFL president and treasurer on behalf of the KRFL management.

Although the side is young, Kikima believes they will make a difference in the Gabagaba Super Nines.

They will keep sending their boys to various tournaments purposely to continue player development and growth.

The players were originally selected from Kemabolo, Gabone and Bonanamo villages in the Rigo Coast LLG area.

The communities are backing their players and hoping for the best for the young side.

Their vaptain, Govea Willie, is also a very young player and this will be a good exposure as they take on or watch the experienced sides like Rovanama, SSG Roosters,

The Savannah Cranes name is derived from a bird called Kema that lives on plains of the Rigo Coast LLG area.

The Kemabolo village name was originally named after

this bird and it comes from a bird family called Cranes.

The team is managed by Kilina Avei (team manager), Golo Bola and Larry Gulu (coaches), Lindsay Bugana and Manu Doloku (trainers) with KRFL Rep Raga Gima.

PNG

netball to focus key areas under strategic plan

NETBALL

THE PNG Netball federation has released its 2016 calendar which commences this month through to November 2016.

Key priority areas of focus of the Board includes developing its three Year Strategic Plan, preparations for the U21World Cup qualifier, the inception of its National Schools Outreach Program and a new look national domestic competition.

President of PNG Netball Julienne Leka-Maliaki said the Board has reviewed its work plan and is confident of delivering another successful work plan this year. She said priority would be preparing a strong team to compete at the U21 Regional World Cup qualifying event in New Zealand from September 24-27.

“Preparations are underway for the first training camp to be held in Port Moresby from 25 - 28 March 2016 to assess the current training squad who has been in training since December 2015, said Maliaki.

The outcomes of the training camp will determine the next step to take. A strong 30 member squad will attend the first training camp which will be trimmed down to a final 15 in July and the final 12 selected in August prior to the tournament.

Another key priority will be the new structure of PNG Netball’s domestic competition structure including the separation of the Annual National Championships to be held respectively on July 4 – 7 for the Junior Championships and September 15 – 18 for the Open Championships in Port Moresby. The decision to separate these two events was firstly for economical reasons and also to enhance the quality output of each event.

Among new events will be a new player pathway program for high-performing athletes including a national netball League, PNG Games, University Games, men’s and mixed netball competition and national schools outreach program. The National Schools Outreach Program will focus on capacity building of primary school girls throughout the 4 regions of the country.

This program will be rolled out over the school holidays annually for the next three years. The School’s Outreach Program will include a consolidation of coaching, umpiring and Life skills training for primary school girls, community coaches and teacher volunteer coaches in the four regions.

The training programs will be delivered by PNG Netball accredited coaches, umpires and a number of national players.

Maliaki said the PNG Netball Federation we would like to create opportunities for all netballers in the country either as players, technical officials, administrators and volunteers at various levels of the sport.

She said the Federation is working hard to secure funding support to deliver these programs which are set to commence in March 2016.

Poreporena Marlins take the field.

PARTICIPATING teams to converge in Gabagaba village today.

Waghi Tumbe racing with time

RUGBY LEAGUE BY JOE GURINA

WAGHI Tumbe’s participation in this year’s 2016 Digicel Cup race is at stake with only three weeks before the start of the season.

The franchise club has yet to receive notification from its minor sponsor Jiwaka Provincial Government and CSG (Coral Seas Gold) Ltd of their admission in the semi-professional league challenge.

To make matters worse, the team lapsed the deadline yesterday of not paying up and ordering of uniforms, former chairman Frank Goi (pictured) told Post-Courier in an exclusive interview yesterday

Goi, who voluntarily stood down from the post this year due to work commitment, urged the sponsors to come out and notify the team of their backing for this year’s campaign.

“Up until now as far as I am concerned, there has not been any word from the sponsors. And it will be frustrating if the team affectionately known as the pride of the people of Jiwaka won’t take part in this year’s Digicel cup race,” Goi said.

He said CSG, an Australian company based in Port Moresby, has to come out

Marlins lead Lae softball

SOFTBSLL BY FRANKIY KAPIN

ADMIRALTY Marlins have the two in a row lead in the senior men and women divisions of Lae softball after game five of round one last weekend.

Unfortunately the Marlins men B grade team is yet to step in the shoes of their elders as they trail the B grade progressive points table.

clear, indicating its support for the team after cementing an agreement to sponsor the team for three years.

The occasion was witnessed by the team executives, Governor for Jiwaka William Tongap and the PNGRFL executives in a delegated meeting early last year.

Goi, who was responsible for reviving the team, said:

“I worked tirelessly in putting the team back into the competition last year after 15 years off absence and seeing the team finish at sixth place was an awesome result.”

He said the success of the team last year was influenced by the provincial government’s backing.

He is optimistic Waghi Tumbe had a fair chance of doing better this year.

He thanked Tongap for spending more than K1 million to support the team last year.

He challenged the new boards including John Kombuk, Michael Mundie, Francis Pau (chairman), Michael Kerex, Jimmy Kalne and Gibson Yuants to organise themselves in the remaining weeks and start looking for funds.

“I don’t want the team to be left out this year and the onus is on the current board to start getting on their toes now,” Goi said.

United Sisters, Yokomo maintain lead

SOFTBALL

BY SIMON KESLEP

UNITED Sisters and Yokomo are still clear favourites for the top spots in the A and B grade of the Port Moresby women’s softball competition.

The two sides have continued to maintain their lead after last weekend’s games.

The A grade competition ladder has United Sisters on 26, Wantoks 23, Gazelle 22, Stingerz 21, Bears 20, Yokomo 19, Wolves 17, Chebu 14 and Mariners on nine points.

United Sisters have been able to stay clear because their hard work and team effort that has resulted in winning eight of the past

10 games. For Wantoks, Gazelle, Stingerz and Bears, they have won six matches but their placing and overall points on the ladder was determined by the points for and against in their previous games.

Gazelle have been looking forward for a win in their previous round of games and with a bye this weekend, will definitely boost their position on the competition table. Gazelle also have a mammoth task when they take on Wantoks in the B grade washout match.

Meanwhile, in the B grade, a back to back loss and win by Yokomo against United Sisters and Gazelle has bolstered their lead on the com-

Selectors yet to finalise men’s team for softball titles

SOFTBALL BY SIMON KESLEP

THE selection of the Port Moresby men’s team to take part in this month’s Easter National Softball Championships in Port Moresby will be finalised, according to the official’s statistician.

Selectors will also be counting on this weekend’s games to pick the teams.

President Tony Daple confirmed yesterday that preparations were underway and they were still finalising their statistics of selecting the players to form the Port Moresby men’s teams.

“So far, there have been 12 sched-

uled games with only nine games being fully played while three are being held on washout,” said Daple.

Last weekend’s A grade results saw Gazelle 11 d Bears 3, Yokomo 12 d Defence 4, Bears 8 d Brown Eagles 6. While in the B grade division, United drew Brown Eagles with six runs, Bears 12 d Brown Eagles 11, PNG Power 12 d Yokomo 6, Defence 8 d Mantarays

6, Bears drew with Gazelle by five runs and Defence 9 d Yokomo 4.

Daple said this weekend’s games are expected to be tough with a number of top liners playing against each other.

Some of the highlights will in-

clude powerhouse teams PNG Power going up against Gazelle while Yokomo will be tasked to put on another interesting effort against Mantarays. The Tony William’s led side of United Brothers will take on Bears.

“It will be another interesting weekend of softball with some fantastic games to be hosted by the teams,” said Daple.

This weekend’s matches will be very interesting and do spend some quality time with friends, families and other die hard softball fans at the Bisini diamonds with the Womens game on Saturday while the Mens game will be on Sunday.

petition ladder. The ladder has Yokomo on 28, United Sisters 25, Stingerz 23, Wantoks 22, Chebu 20, Mariners 16, Gazelle 13, Wolves 11 and Bears trailing with seven points.

For Stingerz their bye last weekend will give them advantage to put on some interesting innings while Wantoks will have to continue their winning form after their best performance last weekend against Chebu and a forfeit over Bears.

Chebu, Mariners, Gazelle, Wolves and Bears will no doubt continue to keep their hopes alive in winning their remaining games which should see a surprise shift in the competition ladder.

In the men’s A grade the reigning champions left the dirt to be wiped off the face of their opponent after five games leading on 16 points difference to three for Jetz.

The seven team men’s ‘A’ grade challenge has Elces running third leveled with the revived Tigers on 2 points on the progressive point’s ladder.

Island Manalos, Stormerz and NGI are yet to plot their coordinates for that connected ball to bat for a win mid way into round one.

In the women division, Marlins are being threatened by the claws of the Tigers both sitting on five points on the ladder.

Marlins have the upper hand lead with 4 points extra in the for and against according to the progressive tally supplied by the Lae Softball president Lindsay Pulu.

Running third is Jetz on three points on the ladder followed by Stormerz on three as well and Elces trailing with two points.

Jets is on six (6) points and leading the men’s B Grades ladder followed by Tigers and Elces on three (3) and Marlins and NGI settling at the bottom with a point each after last weekend.

Meanwhile, Pulu is calling on business houses in Lae city to show support for the code being a contender at the national level as Lae Softball prepares for this month’s (March) national softball titles in Port Moresby.

“I am appealing for support from the Lae business community in sponsorship or partial funding to send Lae teams to the upcoming National championships,”Pulu said.

He said interested supporters can get in touch with him (Pulu) on mobile numbers 7090 5158 / 7204 0039 (Digicel) and7533 9258 (Bmobile) to assist.

MARLINS pitcher Henry Keleu against Tigers in last Sunday’s match. PICTURE. FRANKIY KAPIN

SIDELINED

HUNTERS CO-CAPTAIN TO MISS OUT MISS

By KEVIN

Post Courier Live

ONE of PNG SP Hunters newlyappointed co-captains Adam Korave will miss out in the first two rounds of the Hunters games starting this weekend.

The Hunters open their 2016 Queensland Intrust Super Cup campaign against Souths Logan

Magpies at the Davies Park at 2pm on Sunday except for co-captain Korave, who will be missing out. Hunters head coach Michael Marum revealed Korave’s omission yesterday.

PNGRFL chief executive officer Bob Cutmore when asked about Korave’s omission said: “We play by set of rules.” While Cutmore did mentioned about the set of rules, it is known that Korave was

suspended for two matches following his dangerous tackle in the semi-final game against Ipswich Jets last year that ruled him out for two matches.

Marum said Korave’s presence will be missed however they will have to have faith in the other players around.

“The good thing is, it’s only the start of the season so we can work our way around the team before

the season goes into full swing,” Marum said. During the official announcement yesterday of the team that will play Magpies, Marum said Noel Zeming will lead the team while debutant and star Snax Tigers utility player Ishmael Balkawa has been given the starting run. Among the players named, other debutantss that were named in the 18th man team are Watson Boas, Justin Olam,

The full team: Stargroth Amean, Bland Abavu, Noel Zeming (captain), Thompson Teteh, Adex Wera, Ase Boas, Ate Bine Wabo, Henry Wan, Wartovo Puara, Esau Siune, Nickson Borana, Waren Glare and Ishmael Balkawa. Reserves: Watson Boas, Justin Olam, Benjamin Hetra, Edward Goma and Philemon Kimisive.

RUGBY LEAGUE

TEME

Benjamin Hetra and Philemon Kimisive.

GRAPPLE TACKLE – Sidlined co-captain Adam Korave comes into completing the grapple tackle during one of the SP PNG Hunters training runs.

Picture by KEVIN TEME – Post Courier Live

GABAGABA NINES’ KICKS OFF PAGE46

Mr. Jacob Luke Mapai Transport