PNGBLOGS

By SCOTT WAIDE      Tucked away behind  the Nobnob mountain  on Madang’s North Coast is a small school – the Nobnob primary school.  Its students are the liveliest bunch of  youngsters  I’ve met this year.   Keen to learn and well behaved even when the teacher is not there.     But like many schools through out Papua New Guinea the  fibro classrooms   show the wear and tear of the  generations of kids who came through this school.    Like many others, I was just passing through to get to a vintage point  where I could get a few take still photographs  of Madang town in the  far off distance.   Walking into a classroom, a met a teacher. I asked If it was alright if I took a few pictures of the school and the children.   Nobnob primary doesn’t have   luxury of  brand new classrooms  but it does have a well maintained playing field and a  tiny library . I guess, that’s what’s really important to kids – being able to play and enjoy growing  up and being a

By SCOTT WAIDE      Tucked away behind  the Nobnob mountain  on Madang’s North Coast is a small school – the Nobnob primary school.  Its students are the liveliest bunch of  youngsters  I’ve met this year.   Keen to learn and well behaved even when the teacher is not there.     But like many schools through out Papua New Guinea the  fibro classrooms   show the wear and tear of the  generations of kids who came through this school.    Like many others, I was just passing through to get to a vintage point  where I could get a few take still photographs  of Madang town in the  far off distance.   Walking into a classroom, a met a teacher. I asked If it was alright if I took a few pictures of the school and the children.   Nobnob primary doesn’t have   luxury of  brand new classrooms  but it does have a well maintained playing field and a  tiny library . I guess, that’s what’s really important to kids – being able to play and enjoy growing  up and

THE CRITIC Two years ago, the former commander of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, retired Major General Jerry Singirok, raised concerns about the state of the PNGDF. He said in very plain terms that the "army" was in no position to protect the country from an internal security threat similar to that on Bougainville.  Singirok rose through the ranks as a veteran of the Bougainville war then became known as the commander who called on Prime Minister Julius Chan to resign when the government chose to hire Tim Spicer's Sandline mercenaries to end the Bougainville crisis. Singirok believes the country is nearing a tipping point in terms of its internal security. As a member of the Guns Committee he has, on many occasions, said that the police are outgunned, the Defense force limited and inadequate with a little over 2000 men and women while landowners and criminal gangs stockpile weapons for various reasons.  That internal security threat has become more co

THE CRITIC Two years ago, the former commander of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, retired Major General Jerry Singirok, raised concerns about the state of the PNGDF. He said in very plain terms that the "army" was in no position to protect the country from an internal security threat similar to that on Bougainville.  Singirok rose through the ranks as a veteran of the Bougainville war then became known as the commander who called on Prime Minister Julius Chan to resign when the government chose to hire Tim Spicer's Sandline mercenaries to end the Bougainville crisis. Singirok believes the country is nearing a tipping point in terms of its internal security. As a member of the Guns Committee he has, on many occasions, said that the police are outgunned, the Defense force limited and inadequate with a little over 2000 men and women while landowners and criminal gangs stockpile weapons for various reasons.  That internal security threat has become m

Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister wants the national rugby league coach and administration sacked after a dismal performance in the Four Nations tournament. Amid scathing public criticism of the Kumuls' wooden result, Sports Minister Philemon Embel said the poor result jeopardised their hope of entering a team in the NRL by 2014. "I feel that rugby league in PNG will die a natural death under the present leadership," Embel said in a statement. "I want to see Adrian Lam return as the coach of the Kumuls and return them to their winning Pacific Cup standards. "I cannot support the current rugby league administration and I am very disappointed that unnecessary changes were made against my concern and advice only weeks before the Four Nations." It was always going to be a tough slog for PNG, who lost every game against Australia (42-0), New Zealand (76-12) and England (36-10). Complaints have filled PNG newspaper letter pages for week

Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister wants the national rugby league coach and administration sacked after a dismal performance in the Four Nations tournament. Amid scathing public criticism of the Kumuls' wooden result, Sports Minister Philemon Embel said the poor result jeopardised their hope of entering a team in the NRL by 2014. "I feel that rugby league in PNG will die a natural death under the present leadership," Embel said in a statement. "I want to see Adrian Lam return as the coach of the Kumuls and return them to their winning Pacific Cup standards. "I cannot support the current rugby league administration and I am very disappointed that unnecessary changes were made against my concern and advice only weeks before the Four Nations." It was always going to be a tough slog for PNG, who lost every game against Australia (42-0), New Zealand (76-12) and England (36-10). Complaints have filled PNG newspaper letter pages for

OP/ED The Bougainville crisis did not just happen. The writing, so to speak, was on the wall for a good seven years before violence erupted. Even in the early days of the crisis, the prolonged and bloody nature of it could have been averted, but it was not. The reason for this was really a series of stupid decisions and unforgivable neglect by those in authority at the time in national government and the Bougainville Copper Ltd. The Bougainville Copper Agreement, signed in 1974, had contained within it a provision for a review to occur every seven years. The first opportunity for such a review fell in 1981, but there was no review. Angry reminders were made in the media, and even in parliament, by the member for Bougainville, John Momis. The crisis started when the second opportunity for a review, 14 years from the signing of the BCA, fell due in 1988 and it looked like nobody was prepared to do it. When the power pylons were felled, Panguna leaders sought the way of peace but, while

OP/ED The Bougainville crisis did not just happen. The writing, so to speak, was on the wall for a good seven years before violence erupted. Even in the early days of the crisis, the prolonged and bloody nature of it could have been averted, but it was not. The reason for this was really a series of stupid decisions and unforgivable neglect by those in authority at the time in national government and the Bougainville Copper Ltd. The Bougainville Copper Agreement, signed in 1974, had contained within it a provision for a review to occur every seven years. The first opportunity for such a review fell in 1981, but there was no review. Angry reminders were made in the media, and even in parliament, by the member for Bougainville, John Momis. The crisis started when the second opportunity for a review, 14 years from the signing of the BCA, fell due in 1988 and it looked like nobody was prepared to do it. When the power pylons were felled, Panguna leaders sought the way of peace but, whi

Port Moresby based lawyer, Peter Pena, was confronted and warned to stay away from the plaintiffs in the Ramu nickel mine case and to not go behind the back of their lawyer Tiffany Nonggorr, when he arrived at Madang airport on Friday. Peter Pena was confronted outside the Madang airport terminal building The warning came from Ms. Nonggorr herself, who along with several plaintiffs, including lead plaintiff Louis Medaing, were waiting for Mr. Pena outside the terminal building. It is believed Pena was the orchestrator of the plot that removed the orginal plaintiffs challenging the mine’s marine waste dumping plans. In front of witnesses, Nonggorr was seen to introduce Medaing to Pena and explained to Pena it is unethical and a breach of the lawyers’ Professional Conduct Rules for a lawyer retained by a party in a case to approach or contact another party directly. She told Pena if he wanted to contact any of her clients he had to go through her. The warning came because Mr

Port Moresby based lawyer, Peter Pena, was confronted and warned to stay away from the plaintiffs in the Ramu nickel mine case and to not go behind the back of their lawyer Tiffany Nonggorr, when he arrived at Madang airport on Friday. Peter Pena was confronted outside the Madang airport terminal building The warning came from Ms. Nonggorr herself, who along with several plaintiffs, including lead plaintiff Louis Medaing, were waiting for Mr. Pena outside the terminal building. It is believed Pena was the orchestrator of the plot that removed the orginal plaintiffs challenging the mine’s marine waste dumping plans. In front of witnesses, Nonggorr was seen to introduce Medaing to Pena and explained to Pena it is unethical and a breach of the lawyers’ Professional Conduct Rules for a lawyer retained by a party in a case to approach or contact another party directly. She told Pena if he wanted to contact any of her clients he had to go through her. The warning ca

NZPA U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has declined to comment on Indonesian military filmed torturing West Papuans. In late October Indonesia admitted that its soldiers had tortured Papuan men seen in an online video being beaten and humiliated, and promised a thorough investigation. Amnesty's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest said in a statement at the time:  “The release of this video is the latest reminder that torture and other ill-treatment in Indonesia often goes unchecked and unpunished.” Mrs Clinton is currently in New Zealand for a two day visit. She told reporters during a brief visit to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US was “a friend and ally” of both Indonesia and PNG. “I have no comment on the specific matter you refer to,” she said.  “The government of Indonesia and the Indonesia military has made significant changes in the last years, in the ten years of democracy. “If there are continuing violations of human rights, then they should b

NZPA U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has declined to comment on Indonesian military filmed torturing West Papuans. In late October Indonesia admitted that its soldiers had tortured Papuan men seen in an online video being beaten and humiliated, and promised a thorough investigation. Amnesty's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest said in a statement at the time:  “The release of this video is the latest reminder that torture and other ill-treatment in Indonesia often goes unchecked and unpunished.” Mrs Clinton is currently in New Zealand for a two day visit. She told reporters during a brief visit to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US was “a friend and ally” of both Indonesia and PNG. “I have no comment on the specific matter you refer to,” she said.  “The government of Indonesia and the Indonesia military has made significant changes in the last years, in the ten years of democracy. “If there are continuing violations of human rights, then they shoul

AAP Wartime heroes who fought off Japanese invaders in Papua New Guinea have been honoured as November 3 was unofficially declared Kokoda Day to commemorate the day victory was declared on the famous track. Australians must never forget the contribution of Australian troops and local carriers - the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels - former RSL NSW president Rusty Priest said at a ceremony on Wednesday to mark 68 years since the WWII campaign. The Papuans were vital to the survival of Australian soldiers fighting along the Kokoda Track in 1942. <iframe id="dcAd-1-4" src="http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/adi/onl.smh.news/news/breakingnewsnational;cat=breakingnewsnational;cat1=national;ctype=article;pos=3;sz=300x250;tile=4;ord=9.9866624E7?" width='300' height='250' scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowtransparency=&quo

AAP Wartime heroes who fought off Japanese invaders in Papua New Guinea have been honoured as November 3 was unofficially declared Kokoda Day to commemorate the day victory was declared on the famous track. Australians must never forget the contribution of Australian troops and local carriers - the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels - former RSL NSW president Rusty Priest said at a ceremony on Wednesday to mark 68 years since the WWII campaign. The Papuans were vital to the survival of Australian soldiers fighting along the Kokoda Track in 1942. <iframe id="dcAd-1-4" src="http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/adi/onl.smh.news/news/breakingnewsnational;cat=breakingnewsnational;cat1=national;ctype=article;pos=3;sz=300x250;tile=4;ord=9.9866624E7?" width='300' height='250' scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowtransparency=&

Howdy Readers and Follows of PNGBLOGS.COM. Thanks so much for choosing the time to come here to read and discuss issues and news facing our great Country Papua New Guinea.  Today November 4th 2010 marks our 1st Anniversary. We hope we can be around for another year.  Our Forum is up and is located at the bottom of the front page. As always if you have a story or want to write for us please submit your document 500 words or less to the editor: pngblogs@gmail.com or e-mail Paul at Paul.Reinbara@gmail.com  Thank you so much., God Bless you all, have a safe Holiday and see you all in the new year. Terry

Howdy Readers and Follows of PNGBLOGS.COM. Thanks so much for choosing the time to come here to read and discuss issues and news facing our great Country Papua New Guinea.  Today November 4th 2010 marks our 1st Anniversary. We hope we can be around for another year.  Our Forum is up and is located at the bottom of the front page. As always if you have a story or want to write for us please submit your document 500 words or less to the editor: pngblogs@gmail.com or e-mail Paul at Paul.Reinbara@gmail.com  Thank you so much., God Bless you all, have a safe Holiday and see you all in the new year. Terry

AP U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned the people and government of Papua New Guinea that human rights conditions must improve if the impoverished South Pacific nation, awash in rape, domestic violence and police brutality, is to develop. The first secretary of state to visit the country in 12 years, Clinton also urged government officials in the capital, Port Moresby, to embrace a robust anti-corruption agenda amid concerns that a windfall from a massive natural gas find and vast mineral deposits will fuel already widespread graft and make matters worse, especially for women and children. Without proper oversight and accountability, human rights activists and others fear revenue from mining and a $15 billion Exxon Mobil gas project could overwhelm the rural country, populated by more than 800 indigenous tribes. "If they are not handled the right way, they can actually end up making a country poorer rather than richer," Clinton said. She noted t

AP U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned the people and government of Papua New Guinea that human rights conditions must improve if the impoverished South Pacific nation, awash in rape, domestic violence and police brutality, is to develop. The first secretary of state to visit the country in 12 years, Clinton also urged government officials in the capital, Port Moresby, to embrace a robust anti-corruption agenda amid concerns that a windfall from a massive natural gas find and vast mineral deposits will fuel already widespread graft and make matters worse, especially for women and children. Without proper oversight and accountability, human rights activists and others fear revenue from mining and a $15 billion Exxon Mobil gas project could overwhelm the rural country, populated by more than 800 indigenous tribes. "If they are not handled the right way, they can actually end up making a country poorer rather than richer," Clinton said. She no

Dr Lusove Ngomo I  have been following the debate on the Pacific Medical Centre. The more the people express their disapproval, the more stubborn the health ministry becomes. Among the many comments, health workers are the ones making the loudest noise as their mark of disapproval.  Most are professional people at the end of the health service delivery system who feel the pinch of not being adequately resourced. They are often forced to make do with whatever little they have. Often they have to improvise to save lives. Most, if not all health facilities, are either understaffed or underfunded as revealed in a case study and published in the The National (Oct 19). Even if funding is available, accessibility is cumbersome, courtesy of long and unnecessary financial procedures. It is quite ironic for a learned doctor like Dr Paison Dakulala to aggressively defend this ambitious project. He was a clinician before being appointed to his current position. Therefore, he should know all th

Dr Lusove Ngomo I  have been following the debate on the Pacific Medical Centre. The more the people express their disapproval, the more stubborn the health ministry becomes. Among the many comments, health workers are the ones making the loudest noise as their mark of disapproval.  Most are professional people at the end of the health service delivery system who feel the pinch of not being adequately resourced. They are often forced to make do with whatever little they have. Often they have to improvise to save lives. Most, if not all health facilities, are either understaffed or underfunded as revealed in a case study and published in the The National (Oct 19). Even if funding is available, accessibility is cumbersome, courtesy of long and unnecessary financial procedures. It is quite ironic for a learned doctor like Dr Paison Dakulala to aggressively defend this ambitious project. He was a clinician before being appointed to his current position. Therefore, he should know

  Ash Pemberton Owners of the Hidden Valley gold mine in Morobe province, Papua New Guinea, have tried to silence critics of the environmental damage created during the mine’s construction, Little Green Palai said on October 25. Members of campaign group Union of Watut River Communities (UoWRC) have been issued restraining orders by owners Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV). The owners demanded they stop spreading information about the mine's impact on the community and environment, the article said. The MMJV is jointly owned by Newcrest Mining of Australia and South African company Harmony Gold. The Hidden Valley mine sits at the headwaters of the Watut River. The river is a crucial source of food, water, transport and recreation for local people. The Minerals Policy Institute said many complaints have been issued against MMJV over heavy sedimentation along the river as a result of mine construction. People have complained of damage to food gardens and tree crops, as well as erosi

  Ash Pemberton Owners of the Hidden Valley gold mine in Morobe province, Papua New Guinea, have tried to silence critics of the environmental damage created during the mine’s construction, Little Green Palai said on October 25. Members of campaign group Union of Watut River Communities (UoWRC) have been issued restraining orders by owners Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV). The owners demanded they stop spreading information about the mine's impact on the community and environment, the article said. The MMJV is jointly owned by Newcrest Mining of Australia and South African company Harmony Gold. The Hidden Valley mine sits at the headwaters of the Watut River. The river is a crucial source of food, water, transport and recreation for local people. The Minerals Policy Institute said many complaints have been issued against MMJV over heavy sedimentation along the river as a result of mine construction. People have complained of damage to food gardens and tree crops, as well as

OP/ED Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer and Treasury Secretary Simon Tosali have been slapped with contempt of court charges. They will appear in the National Court soon ( a date is yet to be set), but when they do appear, they will have to explain why they were not able to pay a sum close to K12 million to property owners in Chimbu, in a matter that the same court had awarded damages 19 years ago. A group of village leaders representing the clan in the legal proceedings is in Port Moresby and together with their lawyer, they have served the contempt of court charges against the two men, in an effort to force them make the payment, which they claim is well over due. The action by this group has come about because of the delay by the state to pay for damages or destructions caused by its agents. This is just one of the many judgments that the state has suffered in court cases involving citizens in the country. Lawyers have informed this newspaper that judgments suffered by the state in cour

OP/ED Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer and Treasury Secretary Simon Tosali have been slapped with contempt of court charges. They will appear in the National Court soon ( a date is yet to be set), but when they do appear, they will have to explain why they were not able to pay a sum close to K12 million to property owners in Chimbu, in a matter that the same court had awarded damages 19 years ago. A group of village leaders representing the clan in the legal proceedings is in Port Moresby and together with their lawyer, they have served the contempt of court charges against the two men, in an effort to force them make the payment, which they claim is well over due. The action by this group has come about because of the delay by the state to pay for damages or destructions caused by its agents. This is just one of the many judgments that the state has suffered in court cases involving citizens in the country. Lawyers have informed this newspaper that judgments suffered by the state in

The FINANCIAL The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Australian Government will support a $24 million project to help rural communities in Papua New Guinea access credit and financial services. The Microfinance Expansion Project is expected to generate jobs and boost growth in some of the country's poorest and most isolated regions. Lack of access to finance is a major constraint to rural development in Papua New Guinea. ADB estimates that only 15% of the population has access to formal or informal banking facilities, and many parts of the country still use a non-monetary barter system for transactions. "This project will help rural areas move from a subsistence to a modern cash-based economy and in the process it will increase incomes and reduce poverty by stimulating informal business activity," said Robert Wihtol, Director General of ADB's Pacific Department. According to ADB, the project will extend and build on the experiences and lessons learned from ADB'