PNG News

PNG News

Friday 03 September, 2010

Moving farewell
Islanders turn up in force to send off crash victims
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

MISIMA Islanders were in mourning as they turned up yesterday at Bwagaioa station to say goodbye to four expatriates who were killed in a plane crash on Tuesday.

Government offices, businesses and schools on this Milne Bay island were closed as islanders and public servants paid their respect to the victims of the crash.

The laid-back island has suddenly become the focus of world attention 48 hours earlier when a Cessna Citation jet, with three Australians and two New Zealanders, crashed upon landing in bad weather.

The islanders came in droves, in their best dress, to farewell the four people whom many of them had probably never met.

School children led the farewell entourage, forming a “guard of honour” from the island’s health centre morgue to the airport where a Airlines PNG Twin Otter was waiting to take the bodies to Port Moresby.

The line stretched about 500m between the morgue and the airstrip. All district administration vehicles also lined up for the farewell.

The islanders sang traditional hymns, some shed tears and many threw flowers on the path leading to the waiting aircraft.

The bodies, wrapped in body-bags, were carried by district health and administration workers.
“We were preparing the bodies when school children and public servants lined up to pay their last respect,” Samarai-Murua district administrator Hayden Abraham said from Misima.

Shortly after midday, the Twin Otter left for Port Moresby where the bodies will be treated and handed over to their immediate family members.

In Port Moresby, investigators announced that the Trans Air Citation jet’s black box had been recovered from the crash site.

This instrument, which records operation details of the aircraft, will help investigators better un-derstand the cause of the crash which killed the four and injured the 25-year-old co-pilot of the chartered aircraft.

Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Commission chief executive officer David Inau said five investigators had been assigned to the case.

“I have formally invited the Australian transport safety bureau to assist with the investigations. I have already a team of three on site working with us,” he said.

The Australian High Commission said those who died were Port Moresby-based Trans Air co-owner Lesley Wright, Richard “Chris” Hart and Darren Moore. A New Zealand citizen killed was unnamed.

Co-pilot Kelby Cheyne survived the crash.

Commission officials and a medical team travelled to Misima to assist with Cheyne’s medical evacuation and to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of the deceased.

It said it was working with police and local authorities to have the remains repatriated to Australia at the earliest opportunity.

The high commission said consular officers in Port Moresby and Canberra were working with the airline company and local authorities to keep the families of those affected by the crash informed on developments.

Officials were also in contact with their New Zealand counterparts.

PNG safety inspector among crash victims

CIVIL Aviation Minister Benjamin Poponawa has promised a full and thorough investigation into the air crash in Misima, Milne Bay, that killed four people.

He said the Accident Investigation Commission (AIC), under its chief executive officer David Inau, would conduct a thorough and independent investigation in accordance with international civil aviation rules with the help of Australian experts.

“The AIC has invited the technical assistance of CASA PNG, the operator, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other independent agencies.

“Onsite component of the investigation will continue for several days and an airspace restriction remains over the crash site.

“It is expected that an interim factual report will be released within 28 days,” Poponawa said in a statement.

He confirmed that Darren Moore, a flying operations inspector with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was killed in the crash.

He expressed condolences to the family and friends of those killed.
Poponawa said Trans Air (PNG) had no connection to Transair (Australia).

“The links to the Transair (Australia) Lockhart river accident in 2005 and this accident cannot be ignored.

“The investigation and inquiries into the Lockhart river accident, including the Queensland coronial inquiry, did not hold Transair accountable.”

He said Trans Air (PNG) had an existing air operator certificate (AOC) since 1998, prior to the Lockhart river accident.

Potape takes charge of LNG matters
By PATRICK TALU

KOMO-Margarima MP Francis Potape is the new minister appointed to take charge of all matters relating to the multi-billion PNG LNG Project.

The instrument to effect his appointment was signed by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on Monday.

Potape now would be called Minister for Climate Change and minister assisting in matters relating to Liquefied Natural Gas Office.

Formerly, the LNG, including the gas office, was under Duma until recently Sir Michael appointed Potape following recent landowner uprising and stop-work on the early works on the LNG project sites in Southern Highlands and Central.

Potape confirmed his additional ministerial appointment yesterday, saying that his first task was to merge the two offices; the PNG LNG gas coordination office led by developer ExxonMobil and gas facilitating office which deals with Liquid Niugini Gas project led by InterOil.

He said the new office would be called LNG Office so that it saves cost and tax payers money while it was better coordinated and approached to provide the best services to landowners, people and government.

Potape’s electorate has the bulk of the hydrocarbon project in the LNG project like Hides1, Hides 4, Komo, Juha, Angore, Moran, North West Moran and Southeast Mananda.
He said he would work with relevant state agencies and government departments to address landowners’ grievances amicably.

Potape stressed that one of his priorities was to work with the Commerce and Industry Department to fast-track seed capital for landowners and their business ventures.

Steamships' stunning results
Conglomerate posts 75.5% hike in after-tax, first-half profit

CONGLOMERATE Steam-ships Trading Co Ltd has had a stunning 75.5% increase in after-tax profit in the half-year to June, to a record K65.9 million, up from K38.2 million.

The company's half-year results released to the Australian Stock Exchange showed that total revenues in the six months to 30 June this year had risen by 66% to K366.5 million from K220.8 million the previous year.

Directors said: "Hotels, property and shipping divisions have had a solid six months to date, due to strong demand for their services."

Divisional accounts showed that shipping and transport was the group's top profit spinner, contributing K32.7 million to group profit, followed by hotels with K14.5 million and property and investment with K14.3 million.

Steamships directors said demand for hotel accommodation remained strong and that the Gateway and Ela Beach expansion projects in Port Moresby had been delayed by four months but were nearing completion.

"The 160-room Grand Papua Hotel development continues on schedule for completion next year," they said.

The shipping operations also had a good half-year with high usage rates for vessels and good cost containment.

Two newly-purchased barges and two tug boats have been fully commissioned starting last month.

Other segments that did well included the stevedoring business and industrial and residential properties in Lae and Port Moresby.

The directors said the manufacturing division had a poor start to the year but should see an improvement in the second-half due to consolidation of the Lae facility and an alternate distribution supply chain.

"The solid performance of the PNG economy, with its continuing stable exchange rate and low interest rates, has meant that the group has, as in previous years, been able to continue to invest with confidence in new projects and assets," they said, adding that long term investments would "grow the company".

They said the second-half should see further improvement in earnings as current economic conditions persist "and the LNG project gains traction".

Chance to go ahead
Muruks look to to secure bemobile Cup top spot against Rangers in Lae
By PETER PIA

LAE will play host to a double-header this Sunday when ACTL Lae Bombers play SNS Port Moresby Vipers while minor premiership favourites SBS Mendi Muruks take on Masta Mak Rangers in the bemobile Cup’s penultimate round.

In other interesting matches, minor premiership contenders Toyota Enga Mioks will host competition leaders Agmark Rabaul Gurias in Wabag while Kongo Coffee Simbu Warriors host neighbours WGS Mt Hagen Kuris in Kundiawa while the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis have the bye.

After 16 rounds, the official points ladder is: Gurias (23), Muruks (23), Mioks (21), Lahanis (20), Vipers (19), Warriors (17), Rangers (15), Bombers (10) and Kuris (8).

PNGNRL chairman Don Fox told The National yesterday that all judiciary cases were cleared and the “points ladder was final”, adding this weekend’s matches would determine the top five teams to play in the finals.

The big game is between Mioks and Gurias in Wabag. This weekend’s matches will be crucial as the top five teams fight for their positions.

For Muruks, they have the advantage of the home crowd in claiming the minor premiership while Gurias have an almost impossible task in Wabag against the Mioks.

The Engans have the advantage of playing their remaining two games in Wabag and, if their home ground record is anything to go by could finish the season with 25 points.

Muruks boom forward Nobert Kembo said yesterday that they were ready for the Rangers.
Kembo, who was in a devastating form last weekend, said the team had come up with a good game plan to contain the rugged Rangers.

“We’ve looked at our mistakes from last week and have the right plan to handle the Rangers,” the Kumul prospect said.

With Gurias no certainty of winning in Enga and the Muruks playing at home a win could put them at the top of the table after round 17.

Muruks then play Mt Hagen Kuris in the last round, also in Lae, and if they stick to form could finish up with 27 points and the minor premiership.

Thursday 02 September, 2010

Probe starts
Among 3 Aussies and Kiwi killed was Trans Air co-owner
By STEPHANIE ELIZA

Villagers and curious onlookers, Australian air safety officials and CASA and Accident Investigation Commission investigators at the scene of the crash on Misima Island, Milne Bay, inspecting the remains of the Cessna Citation yesterday. More reports and pictures, Page 3. – Picture by Sinewata Ishmael.

AMONG those killed in the plane crash on Misima in Milne Bay was Les Wright, the co-owner of Trans Air, which ran the charter.

Wright, 59, was from Queensland, Australia.

The others were identified as Chris Hart, 61, from Sydney, and Darren Moore, 44, from Leonora in Western Australia, who was a civil aviation flight operations inspector.

The name of the fourth victim, an employee of medivac company International SOS, a New Zealander, was not released.

The survivor, another New Zealander who is a permanent resident of Australia, arrived in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon on a chartered flight from Misima Island.

The unnamed 25-year-old co-pilot of the doomed Cessna Citation was immediately whisked onto another plane and flown to Australia for medical treatment for “heavy bruising”.

Trans Air (PNG), a charter and medivac operator, is linked to the now-defunct Australian airline Transair, which went into liquidation after a 2005 crash at Lockhart River in north Queensland, killing 15 people.

Investigations have begun into the crash, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

The bodies of the four are at the morgue at Misima Hospital and would be flown to Port Moresby today.

Around 4pm yesterday, a chartered Airlines PNG Twin Otter arrived in Port Moresby with the injured co-pilot, heavily sedated.

Local and international media were locked out of the Trans Air hangar at the airport by security guards.

Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) chief executive officer David Inau confirmed “that a Cessna Citation jet ran off the end of the runway on landing”.

Inau gave no further details, only stating that “until all findings have been gathered and finalised, then a formal statement will be made”.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority and AIC investigators were accompanied by Australian officials to the crash site yesterday.

They would try and establish the cause of the accident.

Australian leaders, including prime minister Julia Gillard and foreign affairs and trade minister Stephen Smith, yesterday expressed sorrow at the loss of their citizens’ lives.

“On behalf of the government, I offer my condolences to the families of the three Australians that will be grieving the loss of a loved one today,” Gillard told reporters in Australia yesterday.
“I also offer our condolences to the New Zealand family that has lost a loved one.

“And, I wish a speedy recovery and a return to good health to the New Zealand citizen, Australian resident who has been injured.”

Smith said the tragedy came just weeks after the first anniversary of the Kokoda plane crash in which nine Australians died.

“This will be a very sad reminder to nine Australian families,” Smith said.

“It follows on very closely from the first anniversary of the Kokoda air crash, so this will be painful not just for the families of the five involved but a painful reminder of the Kokoda air crash.”

Smith confirmed that the plane was chartered by Trans Air and one of those killed was employed by the company but he would not say whether it was its owner Wright.

However, an industry source told AAP: “Les Wright from Trans Air was on board and died.”
The foreign minister said he had spoken to the Australian acting high commissioner in PNG and was told “everything that Australian officials can do is being done both on the ground in Misima and Port Moresby”.

Smith said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had offered assistance in any formal investigation into the cause of the crash.

“We regrettably have a lot of experience with plane crashes in PNG and we have in the past, and I expect on this occasion, will work closely and successfully with PNG officials,” he said.

Tribute to a 'supreme pro'

A MARITIME pilot who died in the Misima plane crash has been praised as a “supreme professional” and mentor.

Father-of-three Chris Hart was a passenger on board a Trans Air plane which slid off the runway on Misima Island and burst into flames on Tuesday afternoon.

The 61-year-old Sydney man was on his way to guide a ship from Misima, about 500km southeast of Port Moresby, through the Great Barrier Reef.

Two other Australians – one believed to be Trans Air owner Les Wright and the other a worker for medivac company International SOS – and a New Zealander also died.

Don Mclay, from Australian Reef Pilots, told reporters in Australia Hart was a “supreme professional” and mentor for younger boat pilots.

The former British navy submariner worked for cruise ship firm P&O, where he met his wife Hilary.

After a secondment to the Maritime Services Board in Sydney, Hart joined Howard Smith and returned to sea in the firm’s merchant shipping division.

He became a coastal pilot with Australian Reef Pilots in 1997.

Mclay said Hart took great pride in his two daughters and son.

“While his duties meant he was frequently away from home, he made sure he always had quality time with them,” Mclay said.

“We have lost a respected friend and colleague.

“We will always remember Chris’ quirky sense of humour, his passion as a chef and his insatiable love for country and western music.”

Tiensten: No recall of house for women

THE government has no plans to recall parliament early to pass important outstanding legislations such as the bill to appoint women representatives to parliament.

Planning Minister and leader of government business Paul Tiensten said he saw no point in recalling parliament when there was no guarantee of numbers to support the bill.

“Unless I know that there is support from the opposition, and I know we have the numbers on the floor, the government will recall parliament and introduce the bill.

“We cannot introduce the bill and not have the numbers (to pass it),” he said.

Tiensten suggested, with some sarcasm, that the womenfolk should start lobbying with parliamentarians to get the number for the government to introduce the bill.

This will disappoint many women leaders, who had spent a lot of time and resources campaigning throughout the country, hearing the people and garnering support for this bill.

The minister also saw no need to recall parliament early to pass a supplementary budget for this year.

This year’s national budget is expected to record a surplus of about K500 million.

Parliament must also approve some unbudgeted expenditure, especially those related to the PNG LNG project and landowner commitments.

Tiensten said parliament would resume in November when the supplementary budget would be approved together with next year’s budget.

Parliament was adjourned in July to November after the prime minister survived an attempt to remove him.

The attempt came from within the National Alliance party itself.

The prime minister reacted by sacking deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu, forest minister Belden Namah and culture and tourism minister Charles Abel.

Sources said another attempt would be made in November to remove the prime minister.

ADB, PNG forge new tie-up strategy
Target infrastructure and power devt to spur growth
By PATRICK TALU

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government have agreed on a new country partnership strategy (CPS) for 2011-15 that centres on infrastructure improvements and other measures to make economic growth more inclusive.

Developed in close consultation with the government and other stakeholders, the new CPS responds to the government’s request for ADB to scale-up support for infrastructure, with assistance for roads, airports and ports to make up over 80% of total funding.

It will also continue initiatives to expand electrification and develop the power sector and will aim to establish financing mechanisms to put maintenance of roads and other assets on a more sustainable footing.

ADB’s country director for PNG Charles Andrews yesterday said: “The CPS is aligned to the government’s development strategic plan for this year to 2030 and aims to help PNG plan and implement a successful transition through the conversion of its resources wealth into inclusive economic growth.

“In addition to assisting the government to expand private sector investment, particularly in infrastructure, the new partnership strategy will support government initiatives to improve public sector governance and public financial management,” Andrew added.

In the financial sector, ADB will use the Pacific private sector development initiative, established with co-financing from AusAID to help the government prepare a new microfinance expansion project.

The project will provide wholesale microfinance services through existing outlets such as co-operatives and non-governmental organisations, expanding the reach of such services to the rural poor.

Mission impossible
Oceania’s Hekari United face tough draw at World Club titles in Abu Dhabi
By HENRY MORABANG

HEKARI United FC’s place in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was earned on merit but they will still find themselves in the land of the giants in December.

The experience of playing world class opposition is the prize for Hekari and an achievement for Oceania soccer.

Realistically, no one expects the minnows of world soccer to win their first – and only – match with Hekari practically a team of amateurs, but the effort in reaching this stage is promise enough of things to come.

All league winners from all continents were declared for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup except for the Asian Football Confederation and African Football Confederation whose winners will be decided a month before the tournament.

PNG’s Hekari, the Oceania representatives, will face some of the world’s best teams such as Inter Milan (UEFA), Pachuca (CONCACAF), Sports Club Internacional (CONMEBOL) and hosts Al Wahda (UEA).

The O-League champions will have a tough battle on hand when they jet into Abu Dhabi for the Dec 8-18 world club soccer event.

Hekari defeated New Zealand’s Waitekere United 4-2 on aggregate, winning 3-0 in Port Moresby and losing the second leg 2-1 in Auckland on May 2 this year.

Hekari will take on hosts Al Wahda in the play-off on Dec 8.

A win will see them qualifying for the quarter-finals.

This means a club in Hekari’s position would need to win four games in a row to win the cup which is an impossible task for all but the world’s best.

Other league winners are Inter Milan, who will represent UEFA after defeating Bayren Munich of Germany 2-0 in the Championships League final on May 22 at Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.
Inter Milan boast an array of stars most of whom played for their countries in this year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Stars such as Brazil’s Lucio, Maicon and Julio Cesar along with Holland’s Wesley Sneijder and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o will all turn out for Inter Milan.

Pachuca club of Mexico will represent CONCACAF after defeating Cruz Azul on away goals in the finals on April 28.

The CONCACAF zone covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Sports Club Internacional of Brazil will represent South America.

The Abu Dhabi-based outfit Al Wahda, who are the current UAE champions, will represent the host nation at the tournament.

They are also the current champions of the UAE domestic competition.

Wednesday 01 September, 2010

People moving ahead ...

Pupils of Lenke Elementary School, on the outskirts of Wabag in Enga, braving the hot sun and reciting the national pledge during assembly for the opening of their new classroom on Monday. In the background are their old and new classrooms standing in stark contrast to each other. The new classroom was conceived and built entirely by the village people, giving rise to a what Education Minister James Marape said would be a principle entrenched in education to be called the Lenke model.

Nasfund to buy old hotel in Suva

NASFUND is negotiating with Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to buy the Grand Old Lady – Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) on Fiji Island – for FJ$90 million (K124.7 million) and covert it into a five-star luxury hotel.

The deal to acquire the biggest and oldest hotel in Suva is expected to be finalised this week, according to Fiji Times newspaper yesterday.

The daily said the hotel which lies on prime property in Suva’s capital, has been vacant for around 18 years.

The newspaper quoted Nasfund joint chief executive Ian Tarutia’s confirmation that a deal for Nasfund to take over ownership of GPH could be finalised by the end of the week.

Tarutia was quoted by Fiji Times, as saying: “The total cost of purchasing and rebuilding is around FJ$90 million.”

Tarutia said as soon as the transaction was finalised, construction formalities would begin to convert GPH into a five-star luxury business hotel.

He told Fiji Times that Nasfund board was committed to participate in the purchase of GPH, together with partners Lamina Development.

“We want to start as soon as we can, but there are some formalities that have to be completed by the FNPF who owns the hotel.

Aussies killed in plane crash
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH and WALLACE KIALA

FOUR expatriates were killed in a plane crash yesterday afternoon on Misima Island in Milne Bay.

The pilot is seriously injured and has been admitted into hospital.

Reports received yesterday said a chartered Trans-Air Ltd aircraft, with five Australians, including the pilot, en route from Port Moresby to Bwagaoia, crash-landed in nearby sago palm trees as it over-shot the runway.

Misima police chief Sgt Moses Hilibobo told The National bad weather might have caused the accident as it was raining heavily around 4pm when the crash occurred.

He said technical fault had not been ruled out as eye witnesses reported seeing flames coming out from the plane as it was attempting to land.

Hilibobo, who was among the first at the scene, including emergency health personnel from the Misima District Hospital, said the aircraft had its wheels and wings ripped off when it landed.

Hilibobo said: “The passengers were badly burnt when we arrived at the scene, because the main body of the plane caught fire immediately with the passengers still trapped inside.

“The dead were taken to the morgue while the pilot was immediately treated for burns and other injuries. He was conscious when we rescued him from the swamps.

“He might have been thrown off the plane when it crashed,” Hilibobo added.

Meanwhile, Southern region police commander Chief Supt Jerry Frank said in Port Moresby last night that according to the provincial police commander’s office in Alotau, a crash investigation team would be dispatched to Misima today.

Frank said the Australians were on their way to international waters off Misima to resume duties aboard ocean liners via tugboats.

Acting director of Civil Aviation Authority Safety Wilson Segati also confirmed news of the air crash but did not give details.

Works and Transport Minister Don Polye said he was briefed about the accident and was “very sad that lives have been lost in the crash”.

“It is very distressing news.

“I am told that it is a small Cessna jet owned by Trans-Air, and was on a charter run.
“An investigation is underway and I cannot comment further until we get more details,” Polye said.

Meanwhile, Australian Reef Pilots (ARP) told AAP one of their staff members died in yesterday’s crash.

The other Australians on board were not working with ARP.

Acting chief executive officer for PNG Ports Jerome Peniasi told AAP the Australians on the plane were working with ARP near Misima Island.

“We are aware of the accident but we still do not have much information as communication has been difficult,” he said.

ARP chief executive officer Craig Southerwood issued a short statement yesterday evening.
“ARP is shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our marine pilots in a chartered plane crash in PNG this afternoon,” he said.

“Chairman Don McLay is visiting with the family of our deceased workmate and friend to offer them the company’s sympathy and any assistance at this terrible time.

“We are all shattered by this tragedy.”

ARP provides help for vessels navigating in difficult shipping lanes and provides emergency and temporary port pilots and marine consultancy.

According to ARP’s website, the company has been involved in marine pilotage through Queensland’s shipping channels for more than 100 years.

O'Neil: No place for 'commission'
By ZACHERY PER

PUBLIC servants who ask for “commission” before delivering services to the people should own up and leave, Finance and Treasury Minister Peter O’Neill has said.

He said it was the people’s right to government services, and they should not be denied.
O’Neill said politicians and public servants were entrusted with the responsibilities of delivering services, and should perform their duties with trust and honesty.

He was speaking at the opening of the 13th provincial treasurers conference in Mingende, Kerowagi, in Chimbu on Monday.

He told participants from all 20 provinces that their job involved dealing with money and they should say no to corruption.

“If we don’t say no to corruption, the country will be destroyed.

“You must not try to change your budgets to satisfy politicians or contractors.”

He said people had the right to services and it was the responsibility of politicians and public servants to make sure that government services reached the people.

The minister warned public servants against asking for commission for delivering services or they would be punished.

“You are paid to perform your jobs.

“There is no reason for you to stop service delivery or work simply because you did not receive a commission. It is against our professional ethics,” O’Neill said.

He said the economy was expected to double by 2014 and, for the country to reap maximum benefit, political and public service stability was needed.

“If we don’t, PNG will lose big time. If you feel your member is doing okay, do not change him in 2012. If he is doing poorly, change him.

“We need good leaders and political stability to allow the people to benefit from the major resource projects,” O’Neill, who was accompanied by Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP John Kekeno, Lands and Physical Planning Minister Lucas Dekena, Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia and Karamui Nomane MP Posi Menai, said.

Museum new home for WW2 relics
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

AFTER 35 years of Independence, World War II relics and the modern history collections of the state can now be kept safe in a secure building, director general of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marrianne Ellingson said.

Ellingson’s announcement yesterday came with the launch of a K1.5million building project which paves way for promotion of the history of PNG in a building that is to be erected at the current National Museum premises at Waigani.

The history museum building project is a joint effort between the PNG National Museum and major sponsor to the project – Art Gallery and Historical Aircraft Restoration Society
“For many years, the modern history of the museum located at Gordon was easily regarded as a dump site for old war planes and historical relics.

“It was also difficult for ordinary citizens to relate to it as a site of historical importance.
“This perspective is about to change today.

“The National Museum and Art Gallery, being the premier cultural institution in the country, is proud to launch the initial phase for the design and construction of the history museum,” Ellingson said.

The history museum will become a one-stop tourist and visitor learning and attraction venue for study and appreciation of PNG’s modern and contemporary histories.

Ellingson also said the occasion was important for PNG because for a long time, the records curatorial and promotional efforts of PNG’s history was not understood.

“With the construction of the modern building, it would bring together all WWII relics and modern history collections into one building for the public, schools and visitors for learning and enjoyment,” she said.

Zone side into camp
PNGRFL has high hopes for Stanley Gene-coached regional team

Kumul legend Stanley Gene has been brought in by PNGRFL to help develop rugby league in the country. He is the PNG National Zone coach.

THE PNG national zone team went into camp today in Lae in preparation for its anticipated clash with a bemobile Cup side on Sept 12.

Coached by Kumul legend Stanley Gene, the side is made up of players who represented their regions in the zone championships in Goroka last month.

Gene, who played 14 seasons in the English Super League, recently acquired coaching qualifications and is seen as a possible successor to Adrian Lam.

The PNG Rugby Football League executive Bryan Kramer said PNGRFL chairman Gary Juffa had high hopes for the team and would base the code’s future development around the zone concept as well as the upskilling of local coaches and trainers.

“Our zone side goes into camp today for two weeks and will play a bemobile Cup select side later this month. From that game the Prime Minister’s XIII will be chosen along with some overseas-based players,” Kramer said.

“We’re hoping that they (zone side) do well. If they beat the bemobile side that will only strengthen our push to focus on rugby league in the rural areas.

“The PNG PM’s XIII will be chosen from the the zone-bemobile match and if that team plays well against the Australian PM’s XIII that would be very satisfying.”

Kramer added that this was important not only for the Kumul selections for the Four Nations next month but also for the long term future of rugby league and the direction the PNGRFL wanted to take.

“Gene has been brought in because of his experience and what he has done for rugby league in this country,” Kramer said.

The PNG national zone 25-man squad: Jeffrey Maosi, Robert Laki, Nox Gabriel, Jimmy Peter Jr, Kembol Kaipe, Justin Kuja, Kevau igo, Richard Sikakali, Winbare Kembo, Roger Koyomu, Marcus Kanble, Cliffy Apo, McCrow Koim, Donny Doko, Chicko Mairi, Andrew Mai, Jonathan Levi, Chris Lai, Mark Mexico, Junior Marava, Nao Boga, Willie John, Francis Naniu and Otto Sam.

Tuesday 31 August, 2010

Eriku burns
Looters strike as dawn fire guts shops
By PISAI GUMAR

Looters watching and waiting to raid the neighbouring Raumai 18 wholesale as fire continues to destroy Lotus Trading at Eric Woo in Lae yesterday morning.

A DAWN fire gutted a shop at Eriku in Lae, Morobe, yesterday as hundreds of opportunists ransacked adjacent shops and took off with thousands of kina worth of goods.

The fire, which started at about 5.30am, razed through Lotus Enterprise and, by 6am, hundreds of people, mainly looters from the nearby settlements of Boundary Road, Buimo, the Miles and Kamkumung, had gathered.

Outnumbered police and security guards fired teargas into the air to get the pressing crowd away from the shops’ front, all in vain eventually.

It was not long before the looters broke their way into the two neighbouring shops, PC Woo and Raumai 18, and, in the process, reportedly raping a woman shop assistant.

Members of the fire brigade, who are about a kilometre away, arrived more than a hour later after flames had engulfed the building and could do very little to save anything.

Lae’s iconic trading companies PC Woo, Papindo, Pelgens and Andersons are all on the same block, adjacent to each other.

More onlookers and opportunists arrived at Eriku as soon as the PMVs began operating at 6.30am.

Looters were seen carrying knife wounds and other injuries apparently suffered while breaking into the shops to ransack them.

All manner of goods, from cartons of tinned foods, bags of rice, frozen goods, household electrical goods, white goods and clothing accessories to cartons of beer, were removed.
Eriku’s surrounding streets were dotted with people unabashedly scurrying to get home with their stolen cargo.

Although Guard Dog and Pacific Corporate Security guards were outnumbered at the other shops, they bravely prevented the looters from entering Papindo, Pelgens and Andersons supermarkets.

Crowds of men were also dispersed by police mid-morning at shops near the main market, Voco Point and Top Town, with the morning melee at Eriku forcing many businesses and schools to close for the day.

By dusk yesterday, the threat of more shop break-ins at Eriku was imminent with hundreds of men still milling about belligerently.

Many workers, who would have caught public transport through the Eriku bus stop, had to demand employers to drop them off at home out of fear.

Soldiers from Igam Barracks had to drive into town, armed in a troop carrier, to take their children and spouses home last night.

BSP's 10% offer ends strike
By PEARSON KOLO

ALL protesting Bank South Pacific workers will return to work today after the bank agreed to raise housing allowances for many of them.

The BSP management reached an agreement with the workers’ union yesterday, and a memorandum of understanding was signed to end the strike.

The striking workers, who had gathered at the PNG Trade Union Congress headquarters, agreed to return to work today after union executives informed them of the outcome of their meeting with BSP.

A joint statement by BSP and the union said the agreement brings to rest resolution eight of the nine outstanding “parked items” arising out from the 2007 consolidated industrial agreement.

The meeting between BSP and the union yesterday was chaired by Francis Hau from the Department of Labour.

The statement said the only remaining issue, housing allowance, would be determined through the industrial arbitration tribunal process. But, as a sign of good faith, BSP had offered a further 10% increase on housing allowances for all Grade 3 to Grade 8 staff.

BSP chief executive officer Ian Clyne said in a separate statement that the industrial action by BSP staff was illegal but assured the staff that no one would be terminated for participating in it, if all staff return to work immediately.

The bankers walked off their jobs work last Thursday, affecting the general services provided by the bank. Many of the ATMs ran out of cash yesterday, and customers stood for hours in lines waiting to be served.

A mother, Doris Okoli, said BSP guards were sending five customers into the bank at a time to be served.

“Standing in the queue with the unpredictable Port Moresby weather is really a terrible experience for me and most of the customers,” Okoli said.

Time running out for H1N1 jabs
By ELIZABETH MIAE

THE Health Department is making an urgent nationwide appeal to people to volunteer to get vaccinated against the swine flu (H1N1) virus.

This is because the department must use all the 700,000 H1N1 vaccines, given by the World Health Organisation, within the next two months before their expiry date.

Acting public health manager Lindsay Piliwas said yesterday 23,000 vaccines were used on Health department workers and they were still receiving reports from provinces about how many people had been vaccinated.

Piliwas said the vaccines came in eight batches – the first three would expire next month and five in October.

The vaccine is for people over 17 years of age but not pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and children under five years.

Piliwas said that they aimed to vaccinate 10% of the population by October.

He could not specify how many vaccines were still in stock but said that the remaining vaccines were available for the public.

Piliwas said PNG was more fortunate than its South Pacific neighbours to receive this expensive H1N1vaccine as a donation from WHO.

“We are not forcing the public to get vaccinated, we are only informing them about it; it is open to anyone to go to the hospitals, clinics and health centres to get it,” he said.

Earlier in the month, Health secretary Dr Clement Malau announced that 17 new H1N1 cases were detected in PNG this year after samples collected in West Sepik and Eastern Highlands tested positive to the virus.

The samples, collected from these two provinces between January and May this year, were sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Melbourne, Australia.

Malau described the results as significant because it was the first in-country transmission, unlike last year where 12 cases identified were from international tourists.

Tearm moves to stop flu spreading
By PISAI GUMAR

HEALTH officials in Menyamya district of Morobe are working all out to prevent more deaths from dysentery and flu outbreak in many isolated villages in the rugged mountains.

Only one death had been recorded in the past week giving health authorities some hope that they have managed to contain the situation.

Authorities had recorded eight deaths in three days by last Wednesday and sent medical teams into villages in the Kome sub-district.

They returned yesterday afternoon and released figures of the affected people last night.
Menyamya health worker Mathias Jeromes said they recorded 167 pneumonia and 125 flu cases in the severely affected Kome villages of Kwaplalim, Menye, Umba, and Hengiyapa.
He added that the influenza was developing into contagious pneumonia.

In Menye village, aid post orderly Simeon Aniyom reported 15 severe flu cases and made an appeal for drugs for the patients.

Jeromes added that there were no antibiotics “especially amoxicillin capsules, tablets and suspensions including anti-malarial tablets like artemetter, chloroquine, fansider, panadols, camoquinne and crystalline injections”.

Manpower shortage, coupled with inadequate drug supplies and inefficient and run-down health facilities, was slowing down efforts, he said.

Jeromes said the water tanks provided during dysentery and flu outbreak last year were no longer safe because the roofing irons and gutters were rusty, contaminating the little amount of rain water catchment.

The ward for 26 was no longer in use because of leaking roofs without beds and mattresses to admit patients to diagnose and monitor their conditions, he said.

Jeromes said Menyamya health centre was in desperate need of a district health adviser, a clinic health extension officer, two nursing officers, seven community health workers and one laboratory technician.

Pundari: Ramu tailings disposal effective
By PATRICK TALU

THE government has maintained the disposal of mine tailings from the Ramu mickel mine is done in an “environmentally safe and socially responsible manner”.

Mining minister John Pundari, commenting on the outcome of a week-long stakeholders meeting in Madang on the deep-sea tailings placement system (DSTP), said it (the system) was the right approach.

In a statement yesterday, Pundari said the government was confident given the body of evidences from various environmental reports and assessment on the possible environmental impact assessment carried out by internationally reputable scientific organization.

He also noted the continuing efforts towards ensuring the proper disposal of tailings from the mine.

“We must appreciate the financial risk undertaken by the Chinese enterprises to invest in PNG in a project that is technically difficult to develop when no other investor was willing to undertake the challenge,” Pundari said.

He said the government further believed that the environmentally responsible development of the Ramu nickel mine using DSTP technology offered the people of Rai Coast and the people of Madang an important opportunity to develop their communities and enjoy the economic benefits that large-scale mining projects had brought to other parts of the country.

“In parting, it is unfortunate that such a volume of study and information was available even before 2003 when MCC first carried out its due diligence study before taking a decision to invest in PNG,” Pundari said.

“It appears that these studies (dating back to 1988 and beyond) were not an issue for contention until MCC’s involvement in the project,” Pundari added.

Barbs take 7s title
Pau late try seals win for Barbarians
By ELIZABETH VUVU

PNG Barbarians snatched a last- minute win through speedster Bobby Pau in the inaugural Nivani Frangipani Sevens rugby tournament in Kokopo.

The Port Moresby-based team picked up the cup and K10,000 prize money after defeating Gazelle (2) 15-12 in the final at Kalabond field on Saturday.

Gazelle picked up the runners-up prize of K4,000.

Gazelle were leading 12-10 but an unforced error allowed Barbarians, who are made up of national sevens players, the chance to score right on full-time to clinch the cup.

Barbarians led 10-0 at the break but, in the second half, Gazelle scored their first try through Demas Daplen to trail 10-5.

Albert Patak scored Gazelle’s second try in the right corner and the successful conversion by Israel Eliab gave them what seemed like a match-winning 12-10 lead with a minute remaining before Pau scored the winner.

In the plate final, Hangan Pirates of Buka beat Kimbe’s Gigi Hurricanes 21-19 while another Buka side O-Town Barbs came back to beat Kavieng’s Nalik Chiefs 29-20 after trailing 20-7 at the break in the bowl final.

Tournament coordinator Ian Leklek was impressed with the event’s outcome and thanked Nivani Ltd as the major sponsors.

“It was a struggle trying to organise a major tournament but I’m happy with how everything turned out.”

Leklek also acknowledged supporting sponsors – Frangipani Car Hire, Rabaul Metal Industries, SP Brewery, Kokopo Village Resort, Coco-Cola, Remington and PNG Waterboard.

Monday 30 August, 2010

Pride of Gumine ...

Children and locals admiring the new Pride of Gumine troop carrier given to the Kerowagi police mobile squad 08 funding under the district support improvement programme. Morale of the MS08 members was at its highest last week when they received their vehicle.

Axed in cold blood
Teacher shot in both legs, then chopped to pieces
By JAMES APA GUMUNO

A SENIOR teacher in Enga was dragged from the vehicle he was travelling in last Friday afternoon and summarily executed in the middle of the highway in front of shocked passengers.

Police believed that James Mondo, deputy headmaster of Yaemanda Primary School in Kompiam district was a victim of a payback killing.

Provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari said more than 20 men from Poreyalum tribe had set up a roadblock at Kompiam and were waiting for a 10-seater Toyota landcruiser as it was returning from Wabag.

He said they singled out Mondo, pulled him out and stood him in the middle of the road.
“He was shot in both legs and when he fell down, the tribesmen, armed with axes, moved in and cut him into pieces. It was barbaric and inhumane,” Lakari said.

Mondo, 40, was from Ulip village, also in Kompiam district.

He was the only one attacked. The other passengers were not robbed or attacked by the clansmen who fled the scene of killing when they saw more vehicle arriving.

Lakari said police would investigate to determine the motive of the killing although they had not ruled out payback killing.

He said police had a hard time putting together the body which they took to the Wabag General Hospital morgue.

“These people do not have any respect for human life and a highly educated man in the district who struggled to develop human resource in a least developed district of Enga,” Lakari said.

He said he was notified of the killing around 3pm and he quickly dispatched his men to Kompiam to monitor the situation and prevent tribal fighting.

Lakari said police urged Mondo’s relatives not to take the law into their own hands and allow police to investigate and deal with the offenders.

Police presence was beefed up on Saturday, together with the criminal investigation officers, to watch over funeral arrangements.

Lakari has appealed to Poreyalum tribal leaders to hand over the killers.

Dead at mine site
By JEFFREY ELAPA

ARMED security guards and police reservists at the Porgera gold mine in Enga have been blamed for the death a landowner and the wounding of another last week.

Police have confirmed receiving news of the death and shooting but could not give further details as investigations were continuing.

Reports alleged that the landowner was killed inside the mine site and his body dumped outside the camp last Thursday.

Highlands regional police boss Supt Simon Kaupa confirmed that the security guards were also enlisted as police reservists.

He was yet to receive a report from the local police force in Porgera.

Acting Porgera police station commander Snr Sgt Poko Itapa confirmed the killing and shooting but could not say much because investigations were continuing.

He said a landowner chief was allegedly shot by security guards as villagers fronted up at the company gate to inquire about the death of their relative.

Landowner chairman Mark Tony Ekepa told The National in a phone interview that relatives of the victim had protested outside the community affairs office last Friday at about midday.

However, he claimed Barricks security guards fired into the crowd and wounded Nixon Mangape, the chief landowner and chairman of Porgera Development Authority.

He said Mangape was trying to control the crowd and was not involved in the protest.
Police said that the empty bullet shells were found at the site of the shooting and were tendered in as evidence.

Porgera’s Paiam Hospital chief Dr Granda Granada said a person was rushed to the hospital with a bullet wound at the back of his buttock but was discharged after treatment as it was not severe.

He also confirmed that a body, found near the mine site, was brought to the hospital prior to the shooting but declined to comment further.

He said a post-mortem and x-ray results indicated a fractured neck bone and believed that the person could have died from blunt trauma, particularly caused by blunts things like sticks, metal or rocks.

The landowners said last Friday’s incident was not the first involving live bullets.

They said that numerous complaints had been lodged with the PNG government, the UN Human Rights Commission that included various reputable institutions around the globe.
“Shooting to death of defenceless landowners is serious human rights abuse.

“Therefore, the Porgera Landowners Association calls on the PNG government and local NGOs to investigate the shooting and to allow law to take its course,” Ekepa said.

Bank workers continue strike
By PEARSON KOLO

BANK South Pacific workers nationwide are expected to continue their strike today despite a court order by the bank’s management declaring the industrial action illegal.
The strike has already threatened all electronic banking systems with no bank officers available to attend to them.

Long queues were seen in all Bank South Pacific branches in Port Moresby last Friday as customers lined up to do their banking with only a skeleton staff attending to them.
Customers are expected to brace for a total blackout today.

Last Friday, more than 500 BSP staff in Port Moresby camped at the PNG Trade Union Congress headquarters and were visited by 20 affiliated union bodies of the PNG Trade Union Congress.

The presidents of the union bodies joined in and called for the sacking of BSP CEO Ian Clyne, saying he had turned a blind eye on the issue and gone overseas and had not taken part in the negotiations.

PNGTUC president Michael Malabag, who is also the president of the Public Employees Association said one of their calls was to call for the termination of BSP CEO.

Malabag’s call for Clyne’s sacking received wide applause from the striking workers.

Malabag and PNGTUC general secretary John Paska voiced strong words of encouragement among the striking bankers as reports circulated that the BSP management had issued instructions to the police to arrest the striking workers.

Malabag said the fight was legal as legitimate processes were followed with the sister unions stepping in when it was absolutely necessary.

He urged the workers to persist until they got what they wanted while room for negotiation was open.

“The biggest shareholders are the workers themselves, you can’t sack the workers who are shareholders. Do not fear intimidation and threats of sacking.”

The union asked BSP board chairman Noreo Beangke to step in and address the issue
The BSP workers numbering more than 1,000 walked off their jobs last Thursday with a good number camping at the TUC headquarters last Friday.

A meeting between the union executives and BSP management will take place today to decide whether the striking bankers would continue the industrial action or return to work.

Basil urges Sepik MPs to issue joint statement

MEMBER for Bulolo Sam Basil has called members from East Sepik including the prime minister to sit down with him and issue a joint statement over the recent clashes in Bulolo between the locals and Sepik settlers and a reported clash at the University of Papua New Guinea.

Basil said it was in the best interest of the people that whatever was said and debated on the floor of parliament stayed in parliament.

“It will be good if we, as leaders from Bulolo and Sepiks sit down together and issue a joint statement, urging all our people and young ones to remain neutral and not take matters into their hands.

“I also call upon university students not to take these matters further because it will only spill onto the streets,” Basil said.

“Such actions by our young elites are uncalled for, and they should not be tolerated.”
He said he was also willing to go to the university campus and address students if invited.

“If the students want me to go and address a forum, I will do so gladly with my councillors from Bulolo, so that we can explain things properly.

“As the 2012 elections are fast approaching, I would like to once again appeal to serial general election candidates and recycled leaders not to politicise the issue at the expense of the Bulolo ethnic clash.

“There are opportunists who use pen names in letters to the editor, or on the ground, taking sides with either party of the conflicting groups, playing the blame game or publishing more unfounded accusations,” Basil said.

“I see how such things can help those affected and the vulnerable ones on ground zero.
“When the election writs are delivered by the governor-general in April to July 2012, then we all can play the political game.

“Today’s situation demands common sense to help in any way possible,” he added.
Basil said Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and himself might have not done enough, “but when we all come to properly analyse the situation, we will find that there are so many contributing factors that led to the situation”.

“Law and order, lack of funding, slowness of the provincial law and order committee meeting, disappearance of the uncertified report by the Wau urban LLG manager, police not enforcing the full force of the law on both sides of the conflicting parties, lifting the liquor ban by the magistrate at the request of the traders and, worst of all, politicking of this unfortunate issue.”

Final hurdle cleared for Lihir takeover

MELBOURNE: Newcrest Mining Ltd’s A$10.45 billion (K25 billion) takeover of Lihir Gold Ltd has been officially completed after a Papua New Guinea court approved the deal.

Newcrest welcomed the decision by the national court, which it said was the final step in the merger process after Lihir’s shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the deal earlier last week.

“The company is soon to become part of Newcrest Mining Ltd, with the combined assets creating a strong and vibrant new, major gold company,” Lihir managing director Graeme Hunt said last Friday.

News of the court approval came as Lihir reported a first-half profit of US$87.1 million, a turnaround from its loss in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Although Lihir did not declare an interim dividend, Newcrest said Lihir shareholders who participated in its offer would be eligible for that company’s final dividend of US$0.20.

It is expected the takeover scheme of arrangement will be implemented on Sept 13.

Lihir shares will be suspended from trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Port Moresby Stock Exchange (POMSoX) from today.

Under the scheme, Lihir shareholders will receive nearly 0.12 Newcrest shares plus US$0.225 for each Lihir share they own.

Based on Newcrest’s closing share price of US$35.28 last Friday, the offer has an implied price of US$4.41 per Lihir share, or US$10.45 billion.

In its half year results, Lihir reported its underlying profit for the six months to June 30 was US$142.5 million (K387.23 million), down 15.2% on the previous corresponding period.

However, it was up 17.3% on the six months to Dec 31, 2009. – AAP

Sam saves day
Muruks utility kicks team home against Warriors
By PETER PIA

SNS Vipers Felix Tangue (right) taking a hit up against WGS Kuris in yesterday’s round 16 bemobile Cup match in Port Moresby. Vipers won 24-18. Story on Page 51. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

MENDI Muruks utility back Andrew Sam became an instant hero sinking the Simbu Warriors 7-6 with a field goal at the death in round 16 of the bemobile Cup yesterday.
The win elevated the former three-time premiers to second spot behind Agmark Gurias, who were on the bye.

Meanwhile, minor premiership contenders Enga Mioks had their hopes dented losing to Masta Mak Rangers 28-18 in Goroka.

The Muruks were first to score in the 8th minute when centre Wesley Benny stepped through some flimsy defence.

Five-eighth Kewa Kili made up for his missed conversion with a penalty later on for a 6-0 lead.

Muruks pressured again with hard running forward Nobert Kembo and captain Joseph Omae at the helm.

Warriors fans got their side back into the game with Bii Kerenga, James Emm, Mack Siwi and Palisa Ambutope, and creative half back Willie Guambo, staging a fightback.
Guambo kicked a penalty for the Warriors to trail 6-2 at half time.

In the second half, the game took on a harder edge as both sides literally bashed each other in defence.

Warriors scored through David Jones after centre Andrew Sipil made 60m break to lock the scores at 6-6.

Warriors continued the pressure but dodged a bullet when Muruks winger Anton Elijah fumbled before a clear line.

Sam then took his chance from 40m out in the 79th minute.