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BIKPLA BALUS, PNG'S JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

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COUNTRYSIDE Many art lovers will know the name Mathias Kauage. Hail from Miugi in the Simbu Province; he produced hundreds of abstract paintings that depicted the changes in our country. Focusing largely on social changes, his works would normally feature a carving like figure immersed into adapting to the changes before them. One of his celebrated works resides in the headquarters of one of PNG’s iconic landmarks, Brian Bell Plaza Boroko. The name of the piece is Bikpela Balus. A rich turquoise blue covers the outer part where it depicts the open skies while towards the center of this masterpiece, a colourful Douglas DC 3 Aircraft is packed with carving like figures, obviously passengers onboard this flight. Expressions of optimism and fear are apparent, but one does senses a general emotion of anxiety. Perhaps it’s to do with defying gravity, the cramp interior of the plane but I sense it is what lies at the end of the trip. That is indeed is the great mystery. For 35 years,

BIKPLA BALUS, PNG'S JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

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COUNTRYSIDE Many art lovers will know the name Mathias Kauage. Hail from Miugi in the Simbu Province; he produced hundreds of abstract paintings that depicted the changes in our country. Focusing largely on social changes, his works would normally feature a carving like figure immersed into adapting to the changes before them. One of his celebrated works resides in the headquarters of one of PNG’s iconic landmarks, Brian Bell Plaza Boroko. The name of the piece is Bikpela Balus. A rich turquoise blue covers the outer part where it depicts the open skies while towards the center of this masterpiece, a colourful Douglas DC 3 Aircraft is packed with carving like figures, obviously passengers onboard this flight. Expressions of optimism and fear are apparent, but one does senses a general emotion of anxiety. Perhaps it’s to do with defying gravity, the cramp interior of the plane but I sense it is what lies at the end of the trip. That is indeed is the great mystery. For 35 yea

QRC backs PNG power plant potential

Australian Broadcasting Coporation The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says there are still many hurdles to face before an overseas hydro-electricity plant can be connected to the state's north. Yesterday, Premier Anna Bligh signed a memorandum of cooperation with Papua New Guinea (PNG) delegates to begin investigations into a proposed underwater connection to a renewable energy source. Origin Energy is planning to bring the power to Australia within a decade via an undersea cable and transmission line to Weipa, providing a large supply to electricity to the Cape and the far north. The State Government is hoping the multi-billion dollar project in PNG could eventually link back into the national electricity grid in Townsville in the north. QRC chief executive Michael Roche says the growth of Queensland's industries relies heavily on guaranteed energy into the future. "We obviously need to overcome any of the economic, technical and other challenges but I think a lot of

QRC backs PNG power plant potential

Australian Broadcasting Coporation The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says there are still many hurdles to face before an overseas hydro-electricity plant can be connected to the state's north. Yesterday, Premier Anna Bligh signed a memorandum of cooperation with Papua New Guinea (PNG) delegates to begin investigations into a proposed underwater connection to a renewable energy source. Origin Energy is planning to bring the power to Australia within a decade via an undersea cable and transmission line to Weipa, providing a large supply to electricity to the Cape and the far north. The State Government is hoping the multi-billion dollar project in PNG could eventually link back into the national electricity grid in Townsville in the north. QRC chief executive Michael Roche says the growth of Queensland's industries relies heavily on guaranteed energy into the future. "We obviously need to overcome any of the economic, technical and other challenges but I think a lo

September 15 Medivac

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By SAM BASIL MP As soon as I arrived on a delayed flight from Port Moresby yesterday morning I received a call from our operator Mr. Jack Maso that his daughter a teacher Ms Lis Maso from Wagau Primary School is having complications from child birth. The road situation into Buang LLG has been severely affected by the continuous rain with many sections of the road washed out or covered with mud. That morning also we got reports that parts of the Munanung section Armco was washed out and the only way to help in such cases was to fly into Buang. I asked my accounts officer Ms Mirriam Nork to enquire with helicopter companies in Lae to negotiate an urgent medivac operation and we eventually settled with Manalos Aviation Limited the owner Mr. Jurgen was willing to help for K4800.00 I drove into Lae’s old airport and hopped onto the helicopter the chopper looked weird but I later found out that this helicopter is the safest in the country why? It has two engines therefore you can rule

September 15 Medivac

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By SAM BASIL MP As soon as I arrived on a delayed flight from Port Moresby yesterday morning I received a call from our operator Mr. Jack Maso that his daughter a teacher Ms Lis Maso from Wagau Primary School is having complications from child birth. The road situation into Buang LLG has been severely affected by the continuous rain with many sections of the road washed out or covered with mud. That morning also we got reports that parts of the Munanung section Armco was washed out and the only way to help in such cases was to fly into Buang. I asked my accounts officer Ms Mirriam Nork to enquire with helicopter companies in Lae to negotiate an urgent medivac operation and we eventually settled with Manalos Aviation Limited the owner Mr. Jurgen was willing to help for K4800.00 I drove into Lae’s old airport and hopped onto the helicopter the chopper looked weird but I later found out that this helicopter is the safest in the country why? It has two engines therefore you can rule

Garnaut defends dumping mine waste in river

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AAP Climate change expert Ross Garnaut has defended the decision of mining companieswith which he has been involved to use a controversial method of releasing mining waste into rivers and the ocean in Papua New Guinea. Professor Garnaut, who conducted the Rudd government's 2008 climate-change review, was the chairman of Lihir Gold, a mining company taken over by Newcrest Gold last month. He is also a director of OK Tedi Mining Limited, another company that operates in PNG. Last week the ABC's 7.30 Report aired a report about Lihir and OK Tedi's practice of using deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) at two separate mines. The Lihir project, under Newcrest, is set to produce 1 million ounces of gold a year on Lihir Island, 900 kilometres north of Port Moresby. OK Tedi extracts copper, gold and silver from its remote Star Mountains operation in PNG's Western Province. According to the ABC report, OK Tedi discharges 56 million tonnes of metalliferous waste into local river sy

Garnaut defends dumping mine waste in river

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AAP Climate change expert Ross Garnaut has defended the decision of mining companieswith which he has been involved to use a controversial method of releasing mining waste into rivers and the ocean in Papua New Guinea. Professor Garnaut, who conducted the Rudd government's 2008 climate-change review, was the chairman of Lihir Gold, a mining company taken over by Newcrest Gold last month. He is also a director of OK Tedi Mining Limited, another company that operates in PNG. Last week the ABC's 7.30 Report aired a report about Lihir and OK Tedi's practice of using deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) at two separate mines. The Lihir project, under Newcrest, is set to produce 1 million ounces of gold a year on Lihir Island, 900 kilometres north of Port Moresby. OK Tedi extracts copper, gold and silver from its remote Star Mountains operation in PNG's Western Province. According to the ABC report, OK Tedi discharges 56 million tonnes of metalliferous waste into local river sy
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ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE HERE ON PNGBLOGS,  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY PNG