Papua New Guinea Today

Welcoming the growing attention the world is paying to the Pacific Ocean, PNG's Foreign Affairs Minister has urged the international community to ensure that the Ocean becomes a “zone of cooperation, stability and security, of pristine beauty and prosperity.

Rimbink Pato comments were part of his UN address, delivered during High-Level week of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York.

As host of this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, Rimink Pato, said PNG will see many major issues discussed, including several related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly climate action and gender equality.

Mr. Pato described the Agenda as “a solid pathway that holds much promise for the international community.

Pato adds, APEC itself is, in many ways, a regional example of attempts to achieve what all the members of the United Nations are working so hard to accomplish.

Papua New Guinea's national carrier is repatriating the body of an Indonesian man who died when one of its airplanes crash landed in Micronesia.

Air Niugini said that on Sunday, it flew the body of Eko Cahyanto Singgih from Chuuk state in Micronesia where PX73 crashed into the sea just short of the runway eleven days ago.

Divers found the man's body in the lagoon several days later.

Before his body was flown to PNG, Federated State of Micronesia government officials attended a dawn farewell ceremony.

From Port Moresby, the man's body is to be flown to his family's village in Java, via Singapore.

The incident is being investigated by aviation and accident officials from PNG and the US.

Radio NZ

“Mi no wanpla bikmeri tasol ol salim helicopter kam long helpim mi” (I wasn’t a VIP and yet they sent a helicopter for me).

These were the words of Roselyn Saruso of Kaiam village in the Gulf Province. She had just safely given birth to a healthy baby at the Kikori hospital after being flown from her village in an Oil Search helicopter.

Hours earlier back in Kaiam, Roselyn was experiencing labour complications and could not reach a health centre via road as high water levels made travelling unsafe for her and they could not travel by boat on the Kaiam river either as they did not have fuel. “My only hope was to send my relatives to the Oil Search Gobe camp for help.”

The Oil Search Community Affairs (CA) Drilling Support team immediately engaged the support of the medical team and sent word ahead for Roselyn to reach the Barikewa Road junction. There she was met by James Kol, Oil Search CA Drilling Support Officer who assisted her to the Camp. Upon a quick medical assessment, a decision was made to fly Roselyn on a helicopter to the Kikori hospital.

“When James told me that a helicopter was coming to take me to Kikori hospital, my husband and I didn’t believe him. Within minutes, we heard the loud sound of the helicopter and knew they meant what they said.”

On board the helicopter was a midwife medical team from the Oil Search Moro clinic who provided further support. Roselyn and her husband were flown to the hospital where she gave birth to a healthy girl that afternoon. They stayed in the hospital for four days before they returned home to Kaiam.

“I have no experience and no way of delivering a baby at home so I do not know if my daughter and I would have survived. On behalf of my family at Kaiam village, thank you Oil Search management and the medical and community affairs teams particularly James Kol. We will never forget this.”

The Papua New Guinea Government will soon release new K100 notes and coins for APEC, APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko says.

He told The National that the new notes and coins would be released tomorrow and will carry an APEC logo.

“We will be launching the new currency for APEC in all parts of the economy and it’s set for next week,” he said.

“We did something similar when we hosted the Pacific Games in 2015 and this time as the first Pacific country to host APEC, It will be a memorable event and it will be bigger and better,” Tkatchenko said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel confirmed that the new notes and coins would be released later this month.

Abel said it was a Central Bank initiative.

“They are an independent agency of government responsible for monetary policy, including currency,” Abel said.

Meanwhile, Tkatchenko said a local jeweller from the House of Gemini was engaged to make the special APEC pins for all the world leaders to wear as identification when they arrive next month.

He said PNG was being given opportunities to be involved in APEC in one way or another, and the country was enjoying many benefits as a result of it being the host.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS

A total of 637,527 Fijians will be eligible to vote on election day next month.

Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem says that 316, 431 are females while 321, 096 are males.

Saneem says the central division has 265,184 voters, the west has 244, 245 voters, 99, 094 in the North, East has 26, 034 voters while 7, 970 are overseas registered voters.

He says 70, 519 voters have been assigned for pre-poll while 559, 038 Fijians will be vote on Election Day.

Saneem says the final numbers for Election Day will be available on the 27 of this month after they have finalised the postal voting applications.

He said that FEO will be printing 764, 900 ballot papers bound into 15, 298 books.

The total number of Election day venues is 854 and there will be 582 pre-poll venues.

Saneem says on Election day they will operate 1,568 polling stations that will be managed by 10,000 staff.

SOURCE: FBC NEWS/PACNEWS

The relations between Taiwan and Palau remain friendly and stable, and all bilateral cooperation programs are being carried out smoothly, a spokesman for Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.

Andrew Lee gave his positive overview of bilateral relations in response to a report by Apple Daily in Hong Kong that Palau House of Delegates Speaker Sabino Anastacio predicted his country's relations with Taiwan could be changed, probably within two years.

Palau has demonstrated its strong support to Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1999 and is something the ministry much appreciates, Lee said.

The MOFA is pushing ahead with all of the cooperation programmes between the two countries to further promote the bilateral friendship, and bilateral relations remain "close and friendly," the spokesman said.

Lee said his ministry respected the opinions expressed by Anastacio and others on the development of relations between Taiwan and Palau and has instructed Taiwan's embassy in the Pacific nation to increase communications with them and make them aware of Taiwan's willingness to be a good friend of Palau.

Palau is one of Taiwan's 17 diplomatic allies, but China has been trying to change that as part of its offensive to poach Taiwan's allies.

Beijing imposed travel restrictions in November 2017 that prohibited Chinese travel agencies from organising tour groups to visit Palau, dealing a harsh blow to Palau's economy.

China is the largest source of tourists in Palau with Chinese visitors accounting for nearly half of the roughly 130,000 foreign visitors to the Pacific nation a year, official statistics show.

SOURCE: CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY/PACNEWS

The Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Xue Bing has described Western media reports on Chinese aid to the country and Pacific Islands as “false”.

He said: “Chinese relations and cooperation in the economic and trade relations, the purpose of China in doing so is to help the local economic development and such a progress of the country.

“And we don’t harbour personal interest, we don’t want to have a political gain or strategic presence in this area.

“There have been reports on western media attacking China’s relation with PNG and island countries a lot, but this is totally false.

“Our relations are transparent cooperation and benefiting people in real time, we will continue to do so,” Bing said.

The Ambassador was speaking at the handing over ceremony of vehicles donated through the Chinese Aid in assistance for APEC.

In attendance was Minister for APEC Justin Tkatchenko, Minister for Planning Richard Maru, Minister for Inter-Government Relations Kevin Isifu, APEC Authority chief executive officer Chris Hawkins, chief fire service officer Bill Roo and members of the China Ministry of Commerce and other delegates.

Ambassador Bing said the presentation of vehicles was to demonstrate the friendly feeling of the Chinese people to Papua New Guinea.

“We hope that this small token will contribute to success of upcoming APEC meeting, after APEC, these vehicles will benefit the local people, that’s the reason why the Chinese government is doing
such assistance.

“China and PNG enjoy good relations in terms of political trusts among both leaders and their people, the Prime Minister of PNG Peter O’Neill personally invited the Chinese President to visit the country with the president accepting the invitation.

“Both sides are working together to prepare on such an important visit, I am confident this visit will be a success and historical.

“Economic and trade relations are also benefiting our people, we’ve been doing a lot in trade and PNG is enjoying surplus. We will continue to keep that trend and also people to people links are increasing.

“At the end of this month, there will be an inaugural flight from Port Moresby to Shanghai so that will be a first direct air link between this region and China.

“I want to congratulate my colleagues from PNG government for efforts to make it happen.

“I believe our PNG friends want to continue our good friendly relationships even after APEC, looking beyond APEC I’m sure relations will continue,” he said.

Meanwhile, with the state visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping slated for a day before the APEC Leaders’ Summit, questions have been raised about the flying of the Chinese flag before such an important meeting.

However, Minister for APEC Justin Tkatchenko has quashed fears of having the flag flown predominately during the Leaders’ Summit.

“State visits have their protocol and that includes flying their flags; their (Chinese) flag will be removed before the Leaders’ Summit begins on Nov 17,” he said.

Tkatchenko said that on the evening of Nov 16, the end of President Xi Jinping’s state visit, the Chinese flags will be removed and replaced with APEC flags before APEC leaders arrive.

He said that the Chinese flags will only be flown along the routes to sites that President Xi will be visiting and where he will be staying.

“The Chinese flag will be raised along Sir John Guise Stadium, Independence Boulevard, along Independence Drive towards Parliament House and along the road to the Chinese-built Butuka Academy.

“The flags will be flown only along the roads that the president will be travelling on for his official duties while he is in the country and where he will be staying.

“There is nothing to worry about, we have a carefully-crafted plan to arrange all APEC flags to be flown during the meeting so we are ready,” Tkatchenko said.... PACNEWS

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS/PNG Today

The delivery of Maserati Quattroporte sedans in Papua New Guinea has been welcomed by the APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko said that the purchasing of the vehicles did not cost the government any money as stated by those who continue to bring the APEC meeting into disrepute.

These 40 vehicles are super executive sports cars, which retail in the European Market, at around US$70, 000 (K229,000) each are computerised and will be used to transport world leaders during the Leaders’ Summit.

The first 20 Maseratis were flown into the country on Sunday, and the other 20 on Wedneday (October 10) on Air Bag Cargo’s Boeing 747 from Italy.

“For those who continue to spread lies and bring hype to the issue of the vehicles being brought into the country, the National Government did not pay for any of the vehicles; these vehicles have been bought by the private sector,” he said.

“And once we conclude the APEC Summit, the vehicles will be sold to individuals or businesses that wish to acquire such a car.

“Let’s not get all excited about the vehicles costing the government money, it’s not and let’s get facts first before we say anything.”

“Maserati Quattroporte sedans have been secured and delivered, and are being committed to be paid for.

“The sedans will provide the level of carriage for leaders that is the standard for vehicles used at APEC Summits.

“Papua New Guinea is delivering a world-class APEC Summit and we are ensuring leaders and dignitaries are transported properly between events through APEC week,” he said.

“Having vehicles paid for by the private sector is the smartest way to have use of the vehicles for APEC at no overall cost to the State.

“This is the same as has been done in past events providing vehicles for use by Leaders at Pacific Islands’ Forum meetings and the African Caribbean and Pacific Leaders’ Summit.

“When we were using the V8, Prado and mini vans, and buses during the PIF and Eight African Caribbean and Pacific Leaders’ Summit it was resold once the meetings concluded, it’s the same, let’s not jump to conclusions,” he said.

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS

The grand opening of the Samoa Cable depot at the Matatutu Wharf was the realisation of a critical component in Samoa’s goal to becoming the submarine cable hub for the Pacific.

The $5 million (US$1.8 million) state of the art building project, undertaken in partnership by the Samoa Submarine Cable Company (SSCC) and TE SubCom, will service the South Pacific Marine Maintenance Agreement (SPMMA).

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi congratulated the conglomerate for their strong working relationship, saying such a breakthrough is a tangible example of regional cooperation to realise the “One Polynesia strategy.”

“In February I spoke about Samoa’s aspiration to become the submarine cable hub linking Polynesia to Samoa and the rest of the world as a real and tangible example of regional cooperation – the One Polynesia strategy was well received by the leaders of the Polynesian leaders group during its annual meeting held in Tuvalu in June 2018,” he said.

“Another important project which encompasses the One Polynesian vision is the Manatua cable linking Tahiti, Cook Islands, Niue to Samoa in order to provide world class communications services for French Polynesia, Cook Islands and Niue and Samoa as early as Q1 2020.”

The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of having the multi-billion dollar company, T.E SubCom invest in Samoa given their reputation as being pioneers in submarine cable communications technology.

“Seven months ago TE SubCom placed their faith in Samoa, and today Samoa has delivered upon its promise to deliver the Samoa cable depot,” he said.

“Whilst the Samoa cable depot is based in Samoa, the implications for Samoa are profound, as this depot will maintain more than 28 telecommunications and power cable systems with a combined length of over 65,000 km in the Pacific and Oceania region.

“The partnership also signifies the success of Government policy to encourage to Samoa foreign investors like TE SubCom who are attracted by Samoa’s favorable economic conditions, investment incentives and strong government support.”

TE SubCom are contracted for five years and the Prime Minister listed some significant advantages to having the CS Reliance and the Cable Depot in Apia starting with increased revenue for Samoa Ports Authority and local stevedoring companies through port fees and charges.

The positive economic impacts from the presence of the C.S Reliance and its 60+ crew as well as other cable ship crews needing to purchase goods and services will boost local economy.

“I understand that plans are in place to develop a submarine cable jointing school to train and to certify Samoan and foreign engineers to undertake submarine cable repair and maintenance activities” Tuilaepa said “There are upskilling opportunities for Samoans with specialised training for our sailors and I.C.T professionals, TE SubCom will allow 2 Samoa trainee sailors on board the CS Reliance as part of their seafarers training.”

TE SubCom representative, Thomas Soerensen, highlighted the outstanding quality of work that went into the depot and praised the convenient location on the wharf, which will enable them to further their business in Samoa.

Currently TE SubCom is servicing 31 cable systems as far out as Australia, Singapore and Hawaii with their system spares being stored in Samoa. He outlined the many benefits of having a depot in Samoa that will store major parts and kits that are needed for repairing cable systems in the region and also added that 22 Samoans are working with the company to assist with discharging the cable into the depot.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS/PNG Today

Enga Mioks back rower Eddie Dafa will captain the PNG U23 Residents side this weekend in the inaugural clash against New South Wales Under 23 Country in Port Moresby. Dafa who hails from Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands Province will be assisted by Lae Snax Tigers five eighth Edwin Ipape, originally from Tari in the Southern Highlands Province. Goroka Lahanis premiership winning coach Glen Nami who is assistant to Head Coach Stanley Tepend made the announcement at training today when naming the starting line- up.

The team is:

1. Jah HOGAN

2. Eliakim LUKARA

3. Brandon NIMA

4. Stanford TALITA

5. Norman BROWN

6. Edwin IPAPE - Vice Captain

7. Mark TONY

8. Kingston PAUL

9. Woods KAWAGE

10. Joejoe WALLAMES

11. Emmanual WAINE

12. Eddie DAFA - Captain

13. Missach WELEN

Interchange

14. Nicky HASU

15. Muka PETER KALU

16. Casey DICKSON

17. Levai ANDREW

18. Kenedy BEN

Coach: Stanley TEPEND

Gates at the Oil Search National Football open at 11am on Sunday October 14, 2018. The 1st curtain Raiser at 12 noon will see National Women’s champions Southern Confederate take on an Australian Defence Force women’s side.

At 1.00pm the Australian Defence Force Mens team will play the Southern Confederate side.

The main game between PNG U23 Residents and NSW Country 23 kicks off at 3.00pm.

Gerehu Secondary School was awarded top prize for their BSP School Beautification Project.

The School Beautification Project initiated by Bank South Pacific, saw the participation of nine (9) schools in the National Capital District (NCD). It was aimed at engaging students to be responsible for the environment by demonstrating the Go Green theme, “Rethink, Recycle, Reuse”.

Gerehu Secondary School was awarded the top prize, with their stunning creativity in designing old tyres around their classroom as flower beds and decorations whilst Marianville came close enough with their recycled craft of broken glasses and plastic bottles.

Both schools were treated to a surprise visit on Tuesday 9th October,when BSP Brand Ambassador David Mead paid a visit to present the awards.
Mead who captained the PNG Kumuls last weekend, was pleased with the response from students who participated in the Go Green Beautification project.

“Taking care of the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Teaching the right values of respect and care the environment, builds better citizens,”

“The school beautification project, not only gets students to recycle and reuse, it gets students to be considerate about how they dispose of used items and rubbish,” said Mead.

This is the first year for the Bank to run the School Beautification Project.Participating Schools were challenged take part in one of two categories,Beautifying & Landscaping in School or Arts & Craft using recycling materials to promote sustainability and beautification of the environment.

In the Primary Category, KilaKila Primary School snatched the first place whilst runner-up went to New Erima Primary.

The wining schools for both Secondary and Primary were presented with K3, 000 cheques respectively whilst the runner-up claimed K2, 000 each.

“The Go Green program is something I am very much interested in outside of Rugby League so it was nice to be a partof it in delivering some messages to the winning schools.”

Mead also took time out to answer questions from students and shared his experienced of playing footy in the professional level before taking photos with teachers and students.

Kiwis celebrate a try. NRL Photo

New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak declared that the Kiwis would only continue to improve as they begun a new era for international football by inflicting the first defeat in Mal Meninga's tenure as Australian coach.

Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson led his team to their first win over the Kangaroos since the 2015 Anzac Test, while debutants Joseph Manu and Brandon Smith were among the stars in the 26-24 win at Mt Smart Stadium.

It was the first Test for Australia since Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk stood down from representative football and the retirement of Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston, with just eight members of the Kangaroos team which won last year's World Cup playing in Auckland.

However the Kiwis also had a new-look team, with Watene-Zelezniak making his debut as captain and Manu and Smith joining the new players blooded in June's Denver Test against England.

The win is a boost for the game in New Zealand after the disappointment of a World Cup campaign in which they suffered back-to-back losses to Tonga and Fiji and were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

However, Watene-Zelezniak said the Kiwis still had a lot of work to do and would benefit from the upcoming Test series against England.

"It feels so surreal," Watene-Zelezniak said. "We are still building, We have only set the foundations now but we have to keep building.

"Everyone was just on. We were a bit shaky at times but we this is just the beginning.

"That's what we came here for to give the fans.

"I think we take a lot of confidence. We have got some work to do but we are on the right track."

The Kiwis dominated the first half for all but the opening three minutes and the last 60 seconds but Australia led 12-8 at the interval following an early try to Valentine Holmes and another by Dane Gagai just before the siren.

Holmes's 12th try in his last four Test appearances struck fear into the hearts of New Zealand fans that the new look Kangaroos would be just as dominant as previous versions, after rookie centre Latrell Mitchell drew Jordan Rapana to create an overlap for the Cronulla star over in the third minute.

The loss of Keary in the 17th minute was a blow for Australia but Meninga was able to call St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt off the bench.

Possession and field position favoured New Zealand and the home side almost scored in the 18th minute when winger Ken Maumalo planted the ball on the touchline as he tried to dive over in the corner.

Maumalo made amends 10 minutes later when he crossed out wide after prop Martin Taupau delivered his second offload in as many minutes having come off the interchange bench and captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak passed the ball through his legs.

Kiwis centre Joseph Manu scored his first Test try in the 35th minute after forcing his way through the defence of Mitchell and Holmes but halfback Johnson again missed the conversion.

Watene-Zelezniak appeared to have put his team ahead just before half-time when he pounced on a kick from Manu to score but review officials ruled that the Sydney Roosters centre had knocked on before he kicked.

The frustration of the Kiwis was compounded when Gagai scored a long range try after halfback Daly Cherry-Evans sent centre Tom Trbojevic racing down the touchline with just seconds remaining on the clock.

It was a remarkable effort for the Kangaroos to lead 12-8 at half-time given New Zealand had 69% of possession but the Kiwis dominated the second half.

Hooker Brandon Smith put New Zealand ahead for the first time when he crashed his way over in the 54th minute and Johnson converted from close range.

A try to centre Esarn Marsters in the 57th minute extended the Kiwis' lead to 20-12 after a stepping run by Johnson who linked with Smith and second-rower Isaac Liu.

The star halfback then repeated the effort to set up a try for Rapana after Manu managed an offload the ball despite the attention of Mitchell and Holmes.

However, Australia hit back with back-to-back tries by second-rower Felise Kaufusi and fullback James Tedesco to set up a grandstand finish as the Kiwis tried to hold on for the last four minutes to record their first win since 2015.

The result capped a triple-header of New Zealand v Australia contests at Mt Smart Stadium, with Australia winning the earlier under 20s and women's contests.

News and Photo Source: NRL.COM

The Papua New Guinea government is facing a community backlash over the purchase of 40 luxury Maserati sedans to ferry APEC leaders around Port Moresby next month, while the country struggles to pay school teachers and deal with a worsening polio outbreak.

As APEC’s poorest member state gears up to host the biggest event in its history, with at least $130 million (US$92,599) in support from Australia, locals have also expressed alarm at the installation of new Chinese-funded surveillance cameras across the city.

The Maserati Quattroporte cars, which cost between $210,000 (US$149,000) and $345,000 (US$245,000) each, were delivered to Port Moresby this week from Milan, Italy, on two privately chartered Boeing 747 cargo planes.

The vehicles are equipped with V6 Ferrari engines but will struggle to reach their top speed of 240km on Port Moresby’s often potholed roads, which have a maximum 80kmh speed limit.

PNG’s Minister for APEC Justin Tkatchenko said the Maseratis had been “pre-sold” to private sector buyers who would take the vehicles off the government’s hands after the summit.

“Of course we have paid a deposit to get everything here but all costs will be totally reimbursed and there will be no burden at all to the government at the end of the day. They are selling like hotcakes,” Tkatchenko told The Australian.

“It’s not as though we are going out of our way to show off or be stupid. We just want to make sure the vehicles we purchase are not a burden to the government after the event.”

But the purchase has sparked a furious response from PNG community activists.

Prominent PNG blogger Martyn Namarong questioned whether private buyers in PNG would have the money to purchase the $12 million (US$8.5 million) fleet, amid an ongoing foreign currency crisis brought about an artificially high exchange rate.

“The private sector has been unable to buy machines and other equipment because of difficulties in getting foreign currency. So its hard to see how they can buy 40 Maseratis,” Namarong said.

“I never heard about a Maseratis until they arrives in PNG. We cannot maintain our very hardy Toyota vehicles so its hard to see how we will maintain these Maseratis.”

He said everyday Papua New Guineans were becoming increasingly angry over the government’s APEC expenditure, which some have linked to unexplained pay cuts for the nation’s teachers.

PNG is also in the midst of a health crisis, with an outbreak of polio claiming the life at least one child, and high rates of TB infection in many provinces including the National Capital District.

New security cameras have been installed in Port Moresby in recent days, provided by China in a $12 million “APEC gift” to PNG.

“They are in your face, and people are wondering who are looking at them all the time,” Namarong said.

Tkatchenko said the cameras would help the government protect public property and ensure community safety.

Australian F/A18 Super Hornets and electronic sensor aircraft will patrol the skies over Port Moresby during the November 17-18 APEC leaders’ meeting, while the helicopter landing ship HMAS Adelaide and several naval patrol boats will protect against maritime threats.

About 1500 Australian Defence Force personnel will also be involved, including special forces soldiers, rounding out the biggest security commitment of any nation in support of PNG’s APEC year.

But, as reported by The Australian, Australian defence officials say potential incidents involving armed personal protection squads accompanying world leaders pose the biggest security threat during the summit.

SOURCE: THE AUSTRALIAN/PACNEWS/PNG Today

PNG’s new satellite internet system, which will increase PNG’s internet capacity by approximately 30 percent, was officially opened on October 11.

The critical investment by Australia saw its Foreign Affairs Minister, Marise Payne, join PNG’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rimbink Pato, yesterday for the event.

Payne said the new system will benefit Papua New Guineans by reducing barriers to learning, improving private sector capacity and fostering job creation in the long term.

“In the near term, the project will boost connectivity for APEC meetings in Port Moresby in November,” she stated.

“This investment is an important component of Australia’s broader internet connectivity support that includes the Coral Sea Cable System, which will connect Port Moresby and Sydney by a new fibre optic cable scheduled for delivery by late 2019.

“Australia and Papua New Guinea have committed to working closely together to support the development of PNG’s information and communications technology sector over the next 15 to 20 years.”

(Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Marise Payne, right, watching a young Manus dancer in action)

Read more on PNG Technology site : PNG eHow

Immediately upon arrival the Cabrini team they were welcomed by Professor Jerzy Kuzma from DWU and Modilon Hospital and were accommodated at the Madang Resort. The following day they were taken on a cruise of the Madang Harbourcourtesy of Sir Peter Barter.

The former Cabrini team leader, Dr John Griffiths visited PNG first in 1998, since then has been 17 times with the orthopedic mission working initially in Wewak and now in Madang.

Team leader Fr Adrian Trivett is on his second visit and the main purpose is to provide the support in development of orthopedic services in Madang. When Dr Trivett was asked – What is the motivation behind your coming here? – he stated laconically: “we come to help, to teach and to work”. Cabrini Hospital is committed to take an active part in the development of orthopedic and medical services along the Pacific region.

There is a long-lasting and close relation between Cabrini and Modilon Hospital that has resulted in has substantial advance of orthopedic services in Madang as well as other successful developmental programs.

Among these support projects, apart from the annual visits, Cabrini Hospital have supported the development of a new orthopedic ward at Modilon General Hospital, significant donation of orthopedic instruments, arthroscopy set and implants valued over K500,000, architectural and engineering design of the new operating theatre now in full operation and organizing histopathology examination critical for adequate cancer treatment.

In addition to the above, Cabrini have funded the extension of the dental section and renovations of administration building and hospital lecture room.

This time the team consists of two orthopedic surgeons Dr. Trivett and Dr Dalalana, anesthesiologists Dr Andeana and scrub nurse Sr. Thompson. They have worked for one week since their arrival on Oct 6 during which time they have consulted 38 patients and operated on 24 patients. Apart from saving many orthopedic patients from disability, by operating together with local surgeons they are passing skills and expertise on local doctors building in this way our capacity to upgrade orthopedic services in the country.

Professor Jerzy Kuzma, from DWU and Modilon Hospital thanked Cabrini and the visiting orthopedic team for their friendship and commitment to the development of orthopedic services in the country.

Papua New Guinea International, Nene Macdonald will join the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys on a three-year deal beginning in the 2019 season.

The 24-year-old arrives at the club on the back of a stellar season for the St George Illawarra Dragons, which saw him score 10 tries in 23 games.

After debuting for the Sydney Roosters in 2014, Macdonald has played 91 NRL games across six seasons for the Roosters, Gold Coast Titans and Dragons, scoring 31 tries.

A product of Cairns, Macdonald was originally contracted to the Dragons for the 2019 season, but the club agreed to release the winger to allow him to return closer to family.

Macdonald has also played Nine Tests for Papua New Guinea after making his international debut as a 19-year-old in 2013.

Cowboys head coach Paul Green said the club was excited to bring a prodigious North Queensland-bred talent home.

“He’s a North Queensland kid and we like North Queenslanders representing this region,” Green said.

“Nene is going to offer plenty of depth to our backline and had a fantastic year for the Dragons.

“I know him on a personal level after coaching him in the under 20s at the Roosters and am confident he will be a good cultural fit for our club as well.”

Cowboys Director of Football Peter Parr said recruiting outside backs for 2019 was a major focus for the club after the departure of a number of long-tenured players in those positions.

“He’s a very talented athlete and with the retirement of Antonio Winterstein we were keen to add to our outside backs and in particular the wing position,” Parr said.

“Nene fits the criteria we were looking for and he indicated to us that he had a desire to return home to North Queensland, so we made some inquiries with the Dragons and they have been very cooperative in helping us bring him back to North Queensland.”

Japan's foreign minister raised concerns Monday about the high levels of debt accrued by some Pacific Island nations and said his country wants to help resolve the problem.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono made the comments while visiting New Zealand, where he met with his counterpart Winston Peters.

Some observers have become alarmed at the growth in Chinese lending in the Pacific and worry that small countries such as Tonga and Vanuatu are becoming beholden to China because of their high debt levels.

Kono didn't mention China specifically in his comments. But he said the Pacific region was important in a strategic sense to both Japan and New Zealand.

Peters said New Zealand was also concerned about the loans and the ability of small island nations to repay them.

“We're looking very seriously at that, saying 'What does it mean for us when those nations may forfeit the very asset value that they've sought to develop, and have it owned by some other country?” he said.

Peters said neither Japan nor New Zealand had gone so far as to offer to repay the loans directly.

“We understand the problem,” Peters added. “We've got our eyes wide open.”

Kono's visit to New Zealand was the first by a Japanese foreign minister in five years. It marks a warming relationship between the two nations over the past year since Jacinda Ardern became New Zealand's prime minister.

Kono thanked New Zealand for deciding last month to deploy a maritime patrol plane to Japan as part of an effort to enforce U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

Australia, Canada and the United States are also helping Japan monitor offshore ship-to-ship transfers of oil allegedly involving North Korean ships, which would violate U.N. sanctions imposed over the North's nuclear and missile programmes.

“Regarding the situation in North Korea, we reaffirm our cooperation to achieve a complete, verifiable and irreversible disposal of all the weapons of mass destruction and the ballistic missiles of all ranges,” Kono said through an interpreter.

Kono said he was concerned about the developing trade war between the United States and China, and hoped the issues could be resolved through the World Trade Organisation.

Kono met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne last week before traveling to New Zealand.

SOURCE: AP/PACNEWS

The Papua New Guinea government has suspended all visa on arrival for one month as security measures leading up to the APEC leaders’ week next month.

The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority announced the temporary suspension of visa on arrival as part of enhanced border security measures in the lead-up to the APEC Leaders’ Summit.

The suspension will be in effect from October 30 to December 1.

Chief migration officer Solomon Kantha said the announcement regarding VoA was a continuation of Immigration and Citizenship Authority’s (ICA) activity to prepare for APEC Leaders’ Summit and a necessary step to ensure the highest levels of security was maintained....

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS/PNG Today

The suspension of visa on arrival will have devastating effect on the struggling tourism industry especially in the peak tourism season in PNG.

But late Monday, Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Jerry Agus said he would meet with Chief Migration Officer Solomon Kantha today to find a way forward in ensuring PNG continues to facilitate for genuine bona fide tourists.

“The temporary suspension for a period of almost a month will definitely affect our tourists because they buy their tickets six months in advance to get special fares, so because of this suspension it will definitely affect our tourists, especially bona fide tourists coming from long haul markets like United States, Europe and Australia.”

Agus said the industry members have expressed concerns that this will send a wrong signal to the tourism industry but these issues would be ironed out today.

“Immigration has agreed that this decision will affected the industry but we will come with a way forward for TPA and Immigration to closely work together to make sure these tourists will continue to come especially the ones that are already paid for accommodation, tickets so that no hassles are created and we will fine tune how we will facilitate for them,” Agus said

Kantha in response reassured the industry that Immigration and Citizenship Authority would provide all the necessary assistance and support to ensure pre-arranged trips by tour organisers and tourists are not severely affected

Sir Peter Barter in an exchange of correspondence between the PNG Dive Association’s Max Benjamin and Chief Migration Officer Kantha said the effect will go beyond the dive sector, it will affect most hotels throughout PNG who also struggling due to the effect APEC is having in deterring tourists.

“Most tourists secure their visa after they have purchase their tours from international and local tour operators, they then pay a deposit and final payment just a week or so before they travel. At this time they would request their tourist visa, and many assume that tourist visas will be issued on arrival.”

“When they cannot get a visa, the operators then have to apologise and refund on FOREX which again is another challenge that is certain to cause problems.” Sir Peter said

“Tourism in PNG is not only Port Moresby, it affects all of PNG and to introduce such a policy at short notice is bound to cause problems for operators in selling PNG as a destination, in short it is totally irresponsible and unacceptable to the industry, to make matters worse, no advance notice was given to the industry who in turn need to convey this ill-conceived policy to operators, airlines and intending visitors.”

Benjamin of the PNG Dive Association said this will need a fast solution to the problem as the existing process for visa application will not work in time.

“The majority of November clients are from all over Europe and North America. The existing 6-week turn around for tourist visas at Brussels and Washington Embassies is insufficient,” he said.

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS

Papua New Guinean opposition MPs have called for a nationwide strike this week amid growing anger at the government’s decision to buy 40 Maseratis for its APEC forum next month.

The PNG government – which as well as hosting Apec is also dealing with a devastating earthquake recovery, a nationwide medication shortage, a polio outbreak and worsening TB rates in addition to generally high rates of poverty – last week imported 40 of the luxury vehicles via charter plane from Italy.

In defence of the purchase of millions of dollars worth of cars, members of government including the prime minister, Peter O’Neill, claimed it would cost the government nothing and the cars would all be sold on to the “private sector” in a public tender after the APEC leaders’ meeting next month.

Observers were doubtful of the ability of the government to sell 40 Maseratis – which had never been seen in PNG before – for the same price at which they were bought, and in a city with record high rates of carjackings. Four-wheel drives are a more common vehicle in PNG, where the roads outside of cities like Port Moresby and Lae are often otherwise impassable.

The opposition MPs Bryan Kramer, Garry Juffa, Allan Bird and Sir Mekere Morauta have called for a two-day strike this week. “People are right to be disgusted by the information that is now coming to light, and they are fully entitled to express their opposition to this blatant fraud,” said Morauta, who also called for an independent inquiry into the purchase and the involvement of the O’Neill government and APEC authority.

He pointed to other controversial APEC-related spending, which he said had all proceeded “at the expense of the health system, the education system, rural infrastructure, law and order, government finances and the economy, and employment”. “Why are we importing luxury cars for Mr O’Neill and his wantoks [extended family] to ride around in when children are dying of polio, tuberculosis and other preventable diseases?” he said.

Last week, PNG’s minister for APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, said the cars were “selling like hotcakes” and the government’s costs would be “totally reimbursed”.

O’Neill reacted to criticism of the decision to buy the Maseratis, saying all APEC hosts provided appropriate cars for leaders and it would not have been appropriate to use Land Cruisers, reported the news website Loop PNG.

Jonathan Pryke, the director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific islands programme, told the Guardian the issue was “frustrating” and “tin-eared”, given the difficulty the PNG government had in paying for fundamental services like health and education.

“Peter O’Neill was saying this is not going to be Apec of largesse, it’s going to be a Pacific-style APEC, it’s going to be modest,” Pryke said. “If it’s going to be modest, why don’t you have a fleet of Land Cruisers? Land Cruisers are the status symbol in PNG as it is and they could easily be recycled into the PNG economy. Maseratis cannot be recycled into the PNG economy. Who would even service them?” he said.

“They’re convinced they’re going to make a profit off it, I don’t know how the hell they’re convinced of that.”

Pryke said spending on APEC was already a “lightning rod” for anger among Papua New Guineans. After paying government debt and government wages, there is often very little left over for health, education and other services for the citizens of the country.

“Service delivery is low in that pecking order and often the government just literally runs out of cash before it gets to that point. That’s why you hear all these stories about they don’t have paracetamol at the general hospital, clinics are running out of supplies,” said Pryke.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN/PACNEWS

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