tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62714601056033112112024-03-13T08:34:02.209-07:00Graun Blong Mi- My LandSylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-66290138778454907492023-05-28T05:29:00.001-07:002023-05-28T05:29:46.982-07:00LAE TO BUANG FOR ARI SAM BASIL<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Yy2Xu-pVEXttrZLobEd6r4hDEBcEzWk0xm2Q4N-BTateCM6rpmNfJ41XFBWjaZseeeF4Th9s5eMRPSvNSZ5jhki_6s5j46dYD-ipPqbu63Bo3yeeg7GluKZVcnFDFqlgFOVgcTOA2UgnDlkKGUOZlOz0wksBRgzSk-Iao5iPVxv_3KfBXVVmSVyC/s960/IMG-20230513-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="960" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Yy2Xu-pVEXttrZLobEd6r4hDEBcEzWk0xm2Q4N-BTateCM6rpmNfJ41XFBWjaZseeeF4Th9s5eMRPSvNSZ5jhki_6s5j46dYD-ipPqbu63Bo3yeeg7GluKZVcnFDFqlgFOVgcTOA2UgnDlkKGUOZlOz0wksBRgzSk-Iao5iPVxv_3KfBXVVmSVyC/s320/IMG-20230513-WA0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Papua New Guineans are quite familiar with a joke about motorbikes collecting church offerings in Buang as Morobeans were comparing their church sizes and capacity.</p><p><br /></p><p>Vividly I remember Late Bulolo MP Sam Basil over a few white cans laughed about the joke and shared his passion for motorbikes. It was a good laugh but Buang people really needed bikes for transportation given the geographic challenges they've endured for decades.</p><p><br /></p><p>On May 12th 2023, thirteen local bikers from the Lae City Motorbike Club set out on a journey from Lae to Buang to commemorate the first anniversary since the passing of Late Sam Basil.</p><p><br /></p><p>LCMC has been taking part in various rides around Lae and neighbouring districts since 2020. They did the Somare tribute ride and also went in an awareness ride for a peaceful and safer Madang over the Easter holiday this year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Led by LCMC President Gordon Matafimo, the bikers without any experience on dirt biking the Buang road sets out on this expedition with Papa Willie Amos from Niugini Dirt bikers piloting the convoy. </p><p><br /></p><p>Papa Willie is a top notch rider as he is known to all bikers as Lapun Man. The Yangarian (from Yanga village, Lae) packed his beloved cans of beer and summoned the bikers to an early start at Lae's Raunwara.</p><p><br /></p><p>I don't ride dirt bikes, but I have been a member of the club ever since it's inception in 2020. I don't wanna mention the unfateful afternoon I crashed at Pile river, I'll save it for another story later.</p><p><br /></p><p>Fast forward a few hours later and the bikers arrived at Buang junction along the Bulolo highway. From there, they joined a pilgrimage of locals travelling to Sagayo village where the remeberance program is being held.</p><p><br /></p><p>The bikes manovoured through smaller creeks and rocked up the mountains as their engines drew local villagers to the roadside. Children ran after the bikes while the elderly gazed in amazement as the bikers wheeled through the villages.</p><p><br /></p><p>Buang is mountainous, but with a can of your beloved SP, you'll managed to ride through the dirt like it's your turf. The boys did had a few cans but lapun man Willie and president Gordon were cautious that they all stayed in line.</p><p><br /></p><p>Word of the bikers coming to Sagayo had reached the people. The stopovers for photo shoots and relieve didn't delayed the expected arrival time as they raced through into Sagayo.</p><p><br /></p><p>Awaiting them was Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jnr and the Basil family who had gathered to commemorate the passing of a great Kumul. </p><p><br /></p><p>Master of Ceremony, the legendary Mona Tonsy Clyde announced their arrival as singsing groups and locals cheered them. </p><p><br /></p><p>The tomb of Late Basil is positioned at the top of his village looking down on his village home and Buang LLG. The commemorative ceremony was held at the foothills of Sagayo overlooking the Buang river snakes its way between the mountains.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Buang waterfalls and the scenery are magical. Legends say, a cave is found under the waterfalls and that remains a mystery for thousands of years.</p><p><br /></p><p>Buang itself is a treasure hunt for adventure tourism and those who wish to immense themselves in the charms of mother nature. The soft cool breeze is mesmerizing and the view is breathtaking from the top as the sun rises and sets eveeyday.</p><p><br /></p><p>This was the moment for truth for many who had rubbed shoulders and shared food and stories with Late Basil. He was a Motorbike enthusiast and a leader who had always strive to bring the modern world into his beloved Buang. There's electricity, telecommunication and now motorbikes that are only seen in magazines and movies in towns and cities.</p><p><br /></p><p>I remember Late Basil lighting the Buang skies with fireworks on a New Years Eve and recently hosting the Prime Minister James Marape and senior cabinet members at his village residence for the night.</p><p><br /></p><p>The bikers stayed for a few hours and later returned to Lae following the same route they've taken from Buang junction.</p><p><br /></p><p>At Buang junction, two police SRU units from Lae waited and escorted them into Lae city where they parked into the famous LFA clubhouse and quench their thirst with a few beers.</p><p><br /></p><p>LCMC does alot weekend rides to rural Morobe and had a growing interest in making bike riding become a tourist attraction in Morobe.</p><p><br /></p><p>Member for Lae John Rosso has been a strong supporter of the club as they continue to advocate for a healthier and safer Lae and Morobe for everyone.</p><p><br /></p><p>Keep an eye out for the next journey we take to promote peace and good order and encourage more young people to be part of the adventure tourism in PNG.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-66565104044475398242021-02-01T06:06:00.002-08:002021-02-01T06:06:48.278-08:00LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER JAMES MARAPE ON BEHALF OF CANCER PATIENTS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhiQxMNPKXI/YBgK1GFzEEI/AAAAAAAACjg/sUW0rVGZylk7urCxm37wkrafQLzAI5HAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/FB_IMG_1612188323107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhiQxMNPKXI/YBgK1GFzEEI/AAAAAAAACjg/sUW0rVGZylk7urCxm37wkrafQLzAI5HAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/FB_IMG_1612188323107.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Dear Prime Minister James Marape,</p><p>I am writing this letter with tears streaming down my face. A pain I've felt for so long after losing people so close to me to this deadly disease - CANCER.</p><p>After many years of writing about the plight of cancer patients, little or nothing has been done to build cancer treatment facilities in Papua New Guinea. Cancer has killed our mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers and even our close friends and colleagues. It continues to add more people to it's statistics everyday.</p><p>The cost of getting treatment overseas has sky rocketed. An ordinary citizen cannot afford to raise up to even ten percent of treatment costs overseas. Thousands of kina have been spent on morphine drugs alone for pain relieve.</p><p>Successive governments have promised us better testing and treatment facilities for cancer, yet we are waiting while our elite population are dying. These are our mothers, people who are working very hard to sustain families and build this nation. How many more years are we going to wait for a treatment facility to be built?</p><p>I've lost my big papa, my neighbour, several close friends who shared their stories with me and many other loved ones.</p><p>Just this month, I heard another sad story of my life. My aunt, a very hardworking market mama is suffering from cervical cancer. She was sick for some months, but the local health clinics are not equipped to treat and diagnose cancer. ANGAU Hospital is another ill-equipped facility. So much for being a general hospital. The same with all government health facilities nationwide.</p><p>For someone who earns between K100 and K200 a week, how do you expect her to seek better treatment when she's got several mouths to feed, school fees to pay and profits to continue doing informal market?</p><p>Cancer is killing her,how do you expect her to raise K30,000 for treatment overseas? Who is gonna pay for morphine drugs to ease her pain while waiting for treatment? The longer she waits, the immune system collapse with time.</p><p>She looked after me when my mom died ten years ago. I am so worried to lose her. She is someone I hold dearly at heart. I can cry my lungs out but nothing is there to help her recover. I don't want her to be another statistic to the victims. Her family needs her, she needs to be happy. She's too young to leave.</p><p>It's high time your government builds cancer treatment facilities. Pass the Radiation Bill to ensure ANGAU Hospital can use radiotherapy for treatment. Invest in Cancer facilities and specialists across the country. Women are dying, men are dying and children are left with uncertainties.</p><p>To the Health Minister, don't be like your predecessors. All sweet talks and they are gone with the wind. Department of Health should push for cancer treatment facilities, not COVID 19 isolation centres. Build facilities and put specialists around the health needs of your people. We pay taxes and we deserve better.</p><p>Thank you and I look forward to hear from you soon.</p><p>Your Citizen</p><p>Sylvester Gawi</p><div><br /></div>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-20894213709799137642021-01-18T18:17:00.004-08:002021-01-18T19:11:05.150-08:00LAE POLICE FOOTBEAT UNIT- CHALLENGES ENFORCING LAWS IN A METROPOLITAN CITY<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUkw5Hcc3Y/YAZBJPGs8eI/AAAAAAAACic/30XDX57K6FYFWQDMD4VbV_YLVtpvuKKOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210118_181536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUkw5Hcc3Y/YAZBJPGs8eI/AAAAAAAACic/30XDX57K6FYFWQDMD4VbV_YLVtpvuKKOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210118_181536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Being a law enforcement officer is not an easy task. Being a police officer is even tougher.</p><p>You become an enemy with the evil while trying to uphold the rule of law and keep the society in good order. For many justice is seen at the point of the rifle, but for a few the uniform and Queens crown symbolizes the rule of law.</p><p>Today I would like to share with you the challenges faced by one of Lae City's proactive police detachment - The Footbeat Unit.</p><p>Based out of Eriku, the Footbeat unit is headed by former Lae Police Task Force hardman David August. August enjoys his buai and pinpin (smoke) and his favorite whiskey with friends away from work but he's a tough bloke when it comes to policing duties.</p><p>Since 2016, David August has been in charge of enforcing the 19 laws of the Lae Urban Local Level Government (LULLG). From street vending to littering and loitering, this has been a tough task given Lae's growing urban drift from within Morobe and neighboring provinces. </p><p>There's been little or no support from the Lae City Council. An empty 20ft container office at Eriku without furnitures and office stationaries is where the Footbeat unit operates out from.</p><p>"For the last four years, we only had a skeleton office with a chair and a table," says August.</p><p>Despite that, they've been able to keep police records out from Bundi Camp and a small office space at the Lae Central police station.</p><p>"Enforcing LULLG laws is a massive task. We need all the backing and support that are required by authorities to enforce the laws."</p><p>Street vending is a major problem in Lae City. People who have lived on the fringes of the city have moved closer to Eriku, Top Town and Main Market.</p><p>People with disabilities have been used to sell buai and cigarettes for a small commission.</p><p>"There are officers within the LULLG that are approving licenses and permits for these people to operate at public areas."</p><p>"When we (police) want to remove them, they show us signed documents. How can we enforce the city laws when it's very own officers are approving such practices?" </p><p>All communities in Lae have a Gazzetted market under the LULLG Act, if you dont have a Gazzetted market in your community then that could be an illegal settlement.</p><p>Every afternoon the Footbeat unit ensure Eriku and Top Townbus stops are safe for commuters to move safely home. The other problem is the nuisance from side bus crews and their gang of loiterers who makes it a bit difficult for police to identify petty criminals. </p><p>"We go tough on them and that's the only way we keep them away from the bus stops and infront of shops."</p><p>In a bid to promote a healthy and safer community in partnership, David August wants the Lae City Authority (LCA) to make Eriku a no buai chewing area.</p><p>"My proposal to LCA will be to make Eriku a no buai chewing zone. That would be from Gurney street down Milfordhaven Road to Kwila Road, Bumbu Road and back up," says August.</p><p>If buai chewing can be controlled at a particular area like Eriku, there wont be littering, buai spittle and street vending of buai and cigarettes at Eriku.</p><p>"Our attitude is the problem. If we change our attitude to be better people, there wont be buai spittle and rubbish everywhere."</p><p>People can carry their buai but are not allowed to chew. They will be fined or charged under the LULLG Act. PMV drivers and crew will be charged if a passenger is caught chewing buai in the PMV.</p><p>"The LCA needs to work closely with us by giving orders to remove illegal markets, street vending and charge and fine those that dont comply with our city laws," added August.</p><p>The LCA has got a new police vehicle for them and will also be renovating their base at Eriku.</p><p>Kudos to a great team of policemen who worked tirelessly to keep our city safe and free from problems. Now as I've always say "Evil prevails when good men do nothing."</p><p>Well done Lae Footbeat Unit.</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-7383844594579947412021-01-17T15:21:00.001-08:002021-01-17T16:07:05.418-08:00"ME TU KUMUL BLONG MOROBE" - HENRY MOKONO's STORY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk8tfCy5Kr4/YATGEOCBKMI/AAAAAAAACiM/D9fLgIOVWUMHg9HUXL8B_rH9SqenC-zzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s560/1562396904573.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk8tfCy5Kr4/YATGEOCBKMI/AAAAAAAACiM/D9fLgIOVWUMHg9HUXL8B_rH9SqenC-zzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1562396904573.jpeg" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Following my article on growing up in Lae City, Eda Ranu CEO Henry Mokono shares his chapter as well on growing up at Lae's 1 Mile block at </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">the back of Irimo street.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I grew up in Lae from the 70s to the 1990s when it all started back then. I am an Highlander from Simbu, like many others from the NGI, Sepiks, Papuans, and the few from the Upper Highlands Provinces, who migrated to Lae back then still call Lae, home.</p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">My greatest memories in life, like yours came from growing up in Lae City, and later in life, I called myself “Simbu blo Morobe”, because, Lae will always be closer to my heart.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">The spirit of Lae had made me who I am in life, it gave me education, my eldest son was born at ANGAU Hospital, where it had some of the best facilities with some of the best doctors and nurses back then.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I attended St. Martin’s primary school at Papuan Compound, and later at Lae PHS, and went on to National HS and further on to UPNG, so I have fond memories of Lae, and one day, in my grand old age, return back and settle in Lae one more time.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I love my “kru sako” from Mumeng, the sweet cooking bananas and the “kalapuas” from Markham Valley, Wain, Busumang, and the surrounding villages that sell their local produce at Lae Market.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">My favorite pastimes was back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where the local places to enjoy a good “Kung Fu” and Cowboy movies on the big screens was at one of three big theaters located at Top Town, Eric Woo (Eriku), and the one passed Lae Market, right opposite where Rabtrad wholesale is now located.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">A ticket into these huge movie theaters was at K2.00 per head, so for small boys like me, K2.00 was a fortune back then, so during the weekends and school holidays, I used to collect empty bottles and save the few coins until I made K2.00 to buy a ticket into the theaters to watch the movies.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Our rainy and greeny Lae City was the most peaceful place to live and get educated. Crimes and criminals were never heard of. Women and young girls could walk around freely at nights even as far as from Top Toen to Eriku and into the Miles areas.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Morobeans were some of the best and peace loving people that I have ever came across and grew up with them. I had friends from Butibum like Casey and many others, and good mates like Malum Nalu from Salamaua, the former deputy governor like Julius Nalau and many others.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Some of the big names in this country today like Lionel Manua, Jimmy Maladina and the Maladina clan, and myself were the boys from the Miles areas. Grew up in the settlements and slums of Lae City to become what we are in life, and we owe our life’s achievements to the good and kind hearted people of Lae and Morobe Province as a whole.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">With time, the City of Lae has grown and now is a thriving hub of commerce and trade. And I wholeheartedly agree with Sly Gawi on your sentiments, the evil sides of rapid growth, mass migration and exponential growth of this once beautiful and peaceful city has gone to the “dogs”.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I wish the clock can rewind back to those days, where life was full of fun and laughter, where neighbors look out for each other, crime was unheard of, littering and loitering was odd, respects for each other was the norm, all the pmv buses were owned and operated by the “Aris” or “Buangs” of Mumeng. Sometimes when you don’t have monies to pay, they let you go free and don’t come and injure just for a 50t.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">That was my Lae City and I will always have these good times in my memory rather than the current status where thugs and tribalism rules in the open and in all the settlements around the fringes of once a great city.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Me tu, Simbu blo Morobe, na antap lo dispela, me tu, Kumul blo Morobe</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-49604137982641625072021-01-17T03:35:00.005-08:002021-01-17T03:48:03.138-08:00MINE JANITOR HELPS COLLEAGUE BECAME A PNGDF SOLDIER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5r3LUyxAQk/YAQg0HK9K-I/AAAAAAAAChY/a9DtX_lHTacwWNTfgF4uHfG5Ke6_v4SegCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/FB_IMG_1610881803915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5r3LUyxAQk/YAQg0HK9K-I/AAAAAAAAChY/a9DtX_lHTacwWNTfgF4uHfG5Ke6_v4SegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FB_IMG_1610881803915.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Retired Army Private and Bougainville war veteran Berldon Timah shares his story on how an elderly work colleague at Ok Tedi Mine helped him became a soldier in the PNG Defence Force.</p><p>Rtd Pte Berldon Timah fought alongside now PNG Opposition leader Belden Namah during the Bougainville crisis and restored peace to the once distraught region.</p><p>Many years ago, I was working as a cleaner at a power plant in a popular mine in PNG when I saw an advert for PNG Defence Force Recruitment. I have always loved to join the Army since childhood days, so I applied, submitted my form and was called for an entry test from Murray Barracks, Port Moresby.</p><p>I had to travel to Murray Barracks all the way from Western Province by sea. I have a distant uncle that was resident there then, I wrote a letter (no mobile telephone those days) to my uncle that I was coming to sit for an entry test at Murray Barracks and will love to stay in their house.</p><p>I didn't get a reply to my letter even as my departure date was soon approaching. I became so worried because I needed to go anyway. As I was talking to a colleague cleaner in the power plant concerning my fear of where to stay when I arrived, there was a elderly Awin man in his 40s who overheard us and in his broken english interjected that he knows someone right inside PNG Army recruiting office.</p><p>Who could he know there this person? Is it not a cleaner like myself, I unintentionally said it out to my self after hearing this. </p><p>"Yangpla o, the commandant of the recruitment in army ya em bipo classmate na pren blo mi, nem blo em Capt David Nipo"</p><p>In his bad handwriting, he scribbled the recruitment officer's name on a piece of paper.</p><p> "Just mention my name - poro blo yu long bipo long skul, na givim disla pepa".</p><p>I reluctantly collected the paper from him, not because I intended to make use of it but because I didn't want him to feel bad.</p><p>The next day I set out on this long journey by boat MV Obo Chief from Kiunga down to mouth of Fly river, after few days I arrived in Port Moresby the next day towards evening. I went straight to my uncle's house only to find out that they have relocated from that place and no one knows their new address. I was stranded and it was getting late.</p><p>Around after 3pm, I made up my mind to give the cleaner's contact a shot, I got to the gate of Murray Barracks and mentioned the name I was given. To my utmost surprise, everyone in that bit, recognized the name and one person was promptly tasked to take me to his office.</p><p>I gave the paper where the old cleaner wrote his name that of his friend to the receptionist who took it inside, on sighting the paper, the recruitment officer shouted from the office and followed the receptionist outside to take me in. "Where do you know Peroru? I answered to him "He's my colleague cleaner in the power plant we worked together Sir," </p><p>Where is he, how is he, hope he's doing well? This man was asking me many questions in an obvious excitement and curiosity. </p><p>The look on his face confirmed to me that Peroru was his beloved friend. He asked me what I came to do in Murray Barracks and I said it was for the Army Entry Test. Wow!, okay do you have anywhere to sleep? No, Sir. He immediately called someone to take me to his house where officers residence were. Upon getting to the house I was lavishly entertained and motivated.</p><p>This man came later in the night and he woke me up for a few chats and went on touching tutorials for the next day entry test. After the test, he personally drove me to the office park and gave further instructions for the next day session.</p><p>After the next day, when I got back to where his office was, I began to look at Peroru with a different eyes, how on earth will this man know such a powerful person?</p><p>Needless to say that my name was number four on the excepted list out of 50 entrance when the results came out.</p><p>Friends, I put it to you today that relationship is a currency. Every man needs another man to move up and that man may be the neighbor you look down on, may be the taxi driver you so despise or even the house helper you think is a nobody today.</p><p>Relationship is a stream of income, everything in life actually reproduces on the basis of relationship. Those we know in life matters. Most of us are talented but we need a cup bearer that will tell King Pharaoh that there's a Joseph that can interpret dreams.</p><p>There are some heights you may never get to in life until someone tells someone about you. So shut the door of relationships gently, you may need to use it tomorrow.</p><p>As we enter a new year with a new beginning and promises, let us endeavour to take our relationships seriously, even if you meet online, don't look down on anyone. You never can tell which of the relationships is your own key to success. </p><p>Sometimes those who crown kings don't usually look like kings. Good night & blessed Sunday night.</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-82433022760485685892021-01-05T01:14:00.002-08:002021-01-05T01:14:36.958-08:00A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF GROWING UP IN LAE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcP1lSwsF2I/X_Qtl4LOOZI/AAAAAAAACgg/xY6rMzMjan8Owpe1PZmcTjPKaBGTIY7nACLcBGAsYHQ/s990/FB_IMG_1609837900323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcP1lSwsF2I/X_Qtl4LOOZI/AAAAAAAACgg/xY6rMzMjan8Owpe1PZmcTjPKaBGTIY7nACLcBGAsYHQ/w291-h400/FB_IMG_1609837900323.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I grew up in Lae in the 1990s, a time when it was going through a transitional change as the industrial hub in Papua New Guinea. </p><p>Papindo had its first shop at Top town just next to PNGBC bank (now Leannes Bakery). Best Buy and Vele Rumana at Top Town was where you would find alot of people. There was no Foodmart, SVS was the old Capri and Melanesian hotel is where the swimming pool was packed with families on weekends.</p><p>We would spend weekends at the Esplanade (line Talis as it was known) and walked home in the afternoon back to our homes.</p><p>Papindo Eriku had just opened and we would spend an hour going up and down the escalator as it was the only shop that had this.</p><p>Prices of goods were not expensive. We race down the street to grab a cone of ice cream for just fifty toea, a couple of snacks for a kina and so as a bottle of drink.</p><p>There was no hustle and bustle of vehicles and people. Not because the road was bad, but there weren't alot of people moving around doing nothing in town. Lae was the garden city in PNG and a thriving economy in itself.</p><p>It was a time when school finishes at 3pm, but some of us stayed back to play, study or practice for sports and church gatherings. There weren't alot of bullies in school, those who smoke or chew betelnut were a minority. Girls play among boys and elderly kids take responsibility to walk the younger ones home.</p><p>I remember kids staying at Bumayong, Tent City and Miles walking in groups to get on a bus. They play together to the bus stop and left. Those of us living in the city had to stand guard outside our friends home to return the 'dudu' touch. It wasn't a big deal when we were chased by their parents at odd hours in the night. We even bring our 'dudu' games to the church and inside the shops.</p><p>We would lined up outside offices and shops to collect used computer print out papers and empty cartons. Sometimes we would follow our friends to their homes and watch kids Kona and movies. We weren't chased out by their parents because there was no easy pay issues back then.</p><p>The priest, nun and pastors were the most respected clergies at that time. Attending Sabbath classes and Sunday school was just as important as the Religious Education classes in schools. We sing at the top of our voices and dont feel ashamed to dress in traditional attires and dance in church processions.</p><p>The best days of school life are during sports carnivals, cultural says and an excursion outside of our school. We wore our school uniforms with pride.</p><p>Technology wasn't that advanced. Not alot of people owned computers, telephones were a vital source of communication and internet can only be afforded by bigger businesses. Cassette tapes were the only means of records we had. You can record a EMTV Wednesday or Sunday night movie on tape and replay it later for entertainment. Same as music records. FM radio was the only means of listening to new and old songs, news and other information.</p><p>The city council collects our garbage on time, streets were cleaned and our street roads dont have craters. Despite that, our major roads were deteriorating. No one dare to fix these roads.</p><p>Around 2001, 2002 and 2003 our roads started getting facelifts. An Australian government funded road upgrade program started sealing all our roads within the industrial areas. A new road link was cut through the Lae Old Airport connecting Lae Top Town to the Main Market towards the main wharf. More vehicles started using the roads and Lae was growing as the industrial hub with more businesses opening up.</p><p>Telecommunications started picking up its market. Bemobile started selling K500 (the cheapest) GSM phones and K250 sim cards, that could only be afforded by a few people. In 2007, Digicel launched in PNG providing the most cheapest and affordable phones to its customers. The rest is history now with almost everyone from the youngest to the oldest having access to the network.</p><p>By then, things have changed. Prices started going up, rentals skyrocketing and problems arising spurred by the influx of people into the city. Settlements sprouting all over the city, classrooms become overcrowded, clinics and health centers facing medical supply shortages and many other issues.</p><p>The old ANGAU Hospital building was infested with termites. Medical services could not operate normally, the government couldn't make funding in time to improve the facility and that placed alot of constraints on medical officers.</p><p>Crimes rates increased, there was about an estimated five major crimes committed in a week. Law and order issues started spiraling out of hand. Police plagued with no logistical support, an aging workforce and operating without funding support were toothless. </p><p>Twenty years on and Lae is still struggling to address all these issues. Funding has been a major setback for successive governments. From Bart Philemon, Loujaya Kouza and now John Rosso, Lae is slowly seeing light at the end of the tunnel.</p><p>Decades of misuse and mismanagement of our municipal service funding and DSIP fundings have brought Lae City to its knees. </p><p>Change is imminent under the Lae City Authority. John Rosso's vision to make a better Lae hinges on transparency, accountability and prudent management of assets and fundings.</p><p>Twenty plus years of misuse and negligence cannot be solved overnight, but with proper accountability and a committed workforce in the public service machinery could achieve a better future for our city and our children.</p><p>Let's help bring Lae back to its glory days.</p><p>Photo: Lae City aerial night shot by 80s Media</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/80s-Media-107714861037299/</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-51072476189005789122021-01-04T07:17:00.002-08:002021-01-04T07:18:29.980-08:00SEPIK PRIDE RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QzT1dMCwO0/X_MwvTl4tyI/AAAAAAAACgU/Sfsq5FI3LDEVqxBUJjDHfzk-ikwlXedTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/FB_IMG_1609773150857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QzT1dMCwO0/X_MwvTl4tyI/AAAAAAAACgU/Sfsq5FI3LDEVqxBUJjDHfzk-ikwlXedTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FB_IMG_1609773150857.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I never thought that writing about a rugby league team from a rural town in the East Sepik province would emulate into a national rugby league goal. I never thought young Sepiks would be so passionate to translate this goal into reality in a space of five years. All I knew was Maprik United Rugby League team was headed by a former Rabaul Gurias premiership-winning player Bradley Simon.</p><p>Bradley was a poultry farmer back then in 2015 when I interviewed him on his dream and aspiration to have a rugby league competition for the Sepiks - for Sepiks and Papua New Guineans living in Sepik.</p><p>I talked to Late Timothy Lepa to give a try in hosting a Sepik Challenge of the Ipatas Cup in Maprik. It went well and two local players were scouted to train with the Enga Mioks franchise. </p><p>In 2018, I was in Wewak when the Ipatas Cup Sepik Challenge was hosted. The talents were raw and exciting to watch as four teams battle it out for the gold pass.</p><p>From then, Maprik United was invited to play in the Lae SNAX Nines tournament and also the Northern Zone championships.</p><p>I heard about the Jakis and Wagambies among a few other Sepiks who have donned the Kumuls jumper and that was thirty to forty years ago. I've also known Sepiks living across the country who have played the greatest game of all, but an all Sepik team in the PNG Rugby League competition seems to be a dream for many of them.</p><p>Bradley told me that young schoolboys in Maprik have been training regularly and travel every weekend to Wewak to play in the local competition. In Wewak, the same players juggle rugby union and rugby league. Some play soccer and rugby league. That is an obvious indication of how passionate young people are into sports in this part of PNG.</p><p>In December 2020, Sepik hosted its first ever Agmark Nines tournament - a selection tournament for the Rabaul Gurias. Teams travelled in from as far as Lae and Port Moresby to participate in the tournament.</p><p>As part of the PNGNRL bid requirement, teams should have their own home ground and it must be situated closer to the airport and the accommodation for players and officials. It must be accessible for visiting teams to train and play.</p><p>With support from the East Sepik Provincial Government, a grandstand and public amenities were built at the Pora oval, the home of Sepik rugby. PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum, PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka and PNGNRL Chairman Adrian Chow and several national players were on hand to launch the grandstand.</p><p>A weeks later Sepik Pride bid merchandise were launched and sold like hot cakes in Port Moresby, Lae and Kokopo. </p><p>"We want to show PNG that Sepiks can do it. We have so many sporting talents in our province and we will continue to support and develop these talents," says Governor Allan Bird.</p><p>The undivided support from PNGRFL towards Sepik Pride was overwhelming. </p><p>"My dream is to see rugby League develop in the greater Sepik region and more local boys (Sepiks) play in Kumuls," says Bradley.</p><p>"I am passionate about this and I wont stop despite many challenges and criticisms."</p><p>GO SEPIK PRIDE</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-78998934782278182132021-01-04T06:00:00.003-08:002021-01-04T06:09:01.922-08:00EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggdWfnEivjA/X_MhcnE-2tI/AAAAAAAACgE/j8cl0E47wuwQxF3hBPP0YZqomQLOHcMdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s825/20210105_000534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="636" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggdWfnEivjA/X_MhcnE-2tI/AAAAAAAACgE/j8cl0E47wuwQxF3hBPP0YZqomQLOHcMdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210105_000534.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>On New Year's Eve, I got on a police vehicle for the night operation in Lae City. Media personnel in Lae have been part of the police festive operations for the last five years and that has provided an in depth experience into how police men and women do their best to ensure citizens celebrate in peace and good order.</p><p>I joined the Romeo 14 police unit comprising reserve constables based at the Lae Market police station. </p><p>Anyway, we boarded the vehicle and do random check ups on streets to ensure citizens celebrate within the confines of their residence. A liquor ban and curfew was imposed to keep drunkards off the streets and not to cause disturbance on household celebrations. </p><p>Streets were all quiet with reports of drunkards and stone throwing at main roads being broadcasted on the police radio. Drunkards were told to go home and those found with alcohol were cautioned and alcohol confiscated for breaching the liquor ban directives.</p><p>Just passed midnight, police personnel on foot patrol reported stone throwing from drunkards aimed at police officers. When back up arrived, the accused were swearing the police and boasting their attempt to stone the policemen. </p><p>Threats were issued without realizing they were surrounded by armed police officers on foot patrol.</p><p>The youths were rounded up and brought in for questioning awaiting formal charges to be laid in the morning. Their parents came in and the youths were released on conditions that the cell block was full.</p><p>What irritates me is the ignorance or tolerance by parents and elders to discipline young children consuming alcohol and using abusive words and causing public nuisance. In this case threatening the police right within the confines of their home. No one stopped them or even warn them about the consequences if caught by police.</p><p>Law and order is everyone's business. If you dont respect another person, you wont be respected as well. If you tolerate or defend your child while he/she is young, you will hire a lawyer to defend them in court when they get older. You wont be respected by your own children and that is a bad indication that he or she wont respect another elder in the community including the law.</p><p>We always complain about lawlessness, petty crimes, alcohol and drug abuse, cult groupings in schools, teenage pregnancies and many other social issues. We always blame the education system, the police, the government or even other people for our problems and struggles, but we fail to realise that we have ourselves to be blamed for negligence. </p><p>We dont stand up to take ownership of our issues. We blame the police for not attending to our complaints, we blame the police for brutality when we should be the ones disciplining our fellow friends and family members. When you condone your child swearing bad words, he or she will swear at someone and instigate a bigger problem for you.</p><p>Police and law enforcement officers are here for our protection and safety. Respect must be accorded in order to be earned.</p><p>In another incident in Port Moresby, an ambulance was stoned by drunkards. That very ambulance has saved so many lives attending to emergency and transporting pregnant mothers to the hospital. The next time, you are fighting for your life, this ambulance will take you to the hospital. </p><p>We also had reports of an ATM being damaged in an attempt to steal cash. Banks being robbed in Kerema and many others. When you dont respect and look after services, you will be ones looking for it when you needed the service. </p><p>Lae has been quiet all throughout the New Year's Eve without major incidents being reported apart from drunk and disorderly behaviors. Credit must be given to law abiding citizens in the city for taking the initiative and showing true leadership by celebrating and welcoming the new year peacefully. </p><p>Its 2021, let's be respectful to one and other and look after our communities so that we live harmoniously and prosper together. Let us not use regionalism and tribalism to cause disunity but rather use it to promote a loving, caring and peaceful society.</p><p>The future of our city, our country and our children depends entirely on the choices and decisions we make today. If you choose to throw rubbish pick them up, if you choose to consume alcohol take control of your drunkenness and if you choose to have children look after them. Take responsibility of your actions and dont blame anyone for your failures. </p><p>Evil prevails when good men do nothing.</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-4579942414642725322020-09-14T07:47:00.001-07:002020-09-14T07:47:32.480-07:00 PNG: REMOVE THE NEO-COLONIALISM IDEOLOGY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxkR5QB6QLg/X1-CHgaDQuI/AAAAAAAACa4/S3zt2x1fMiMQmaCtpYT2DIYSOSAk6uD2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/FB_IMG_1600094649059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxkR5QB6QLg/X1-CHgaDQuI/AAAAAAAACa4/S3zt2x1fMiMQmaCtpYT2DIYSOSAk6uD2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/FB_IMG_1600094649059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Papua New Guinea has a proud traditional history dating back more than 5000 years ago. The early agricultural activities from Kuk in the Western Highlands province is a proof of our existence before civilization.</p><p>Our ancestors have lived through the test of times until ships starts boarding at our shores.</p><p>Colonialism crippled our systems of chieftaincy, a formidable structure that ensures the people have control and power over their land and sea areas. Missionaries were not just those that brought the Word of God, but many others who came on a mission to take over our resources for their personal gain.</p><p>They replaced our chiefs and kukurais with their priests, tultuls and luluais. The early missionaries were skillful builders, farmers, doctors, teachers etc. They replaced kunai thatched roof with haus kapa, uses medicine to cure diseases and heal wounds, give alcohol and cigarettes etc. to infiltrate our ancestors minds and weaken their judgement. </p><p>They led us into their churches and classrooms and set out laws for us to follow. Our minds opened up like Eve after taking a bite at the apple. We realised we were naked and use their systems to hide our shame. We were forced into it, we were never going to succumbed to colonialism if they didn't bring their alcohol and guns.</p><p>Our people were employed as slaves like what they did in Africa. They showed us pictures that Jesus Christ was white and our people thought white men are heaven sent for liberation. </p><p>They used us during the war and our people were caught in between a battle that is fought for greed, self interest and world power. Our people were tortured and killed and lost their villages, families and loved ones.</p><p>A few of our own people despite being educated by the colonizers decided to fought for our independence. Independence was something even Australia would not have considered offering to PNG if there's no Sir Michael Somare and others.</p><p>Do you think despite giving us Independence, Australia and others washed their hands and left? No they introduced their education system that no kanaka would be able to be educated up to the level. They introduced systems that were bound to fail and would need Australia's assistance to provide support. </p><p>Australia has always been there for PNG even up till today.</p><p>China who was never part of our history saw the void created by the boomerang aid from Australia and decides to negotiate it's way in. Yes, thanks to our government a Look North Policy was introduced inviting China to be a major player in our economy. What we dont have, China will make. What we have China will always make a cheaper version of it.</p><p>Not long mining companies from outside started operating in PNG. Chinese conglomerates started setting up their businesses throughout the country. The fisheries, logging and SME businesses etc. that should have been reserved for Papua New Guineans have all been taken up by foreigners.</p><p>Foreigners have made our own people to turn against each other. Expatriates are still getting first preferences in supermarkets, bars and hotels while we wait as if our K1 has no value.</p><p>They feed our people with low quality food and dress them up with cheap counterfeit products. They made us to work only to be paid below minimum wages with no savings and income tax being paid.</p><p>Our mineral resources, marine and forests are being raped by illegal immigrants while we are suppressed by our own government. </p><p>Government agencies have somewhat became agents for foreign immigrants. RPNGC is providing security for foreigners while killing and torturing our own people. PNG has became a safe haven for high profile and transnational criminals. Those who try to stop these are being blackmailed, locked up or even killed.</p><p>Now in contrast, we have lost everything as a nation. Not long we might sell the sky as one PNG underground rapper sang. Millions of kina have been squandered through scrupulous means by those in authorities and power, while buai sellers are being brutally beaten and charged a massive K10,000.</p><p>If I had one wish for the better, I would love to see some seriousness in Take Back PNG. Start individually, your family, your community and your town as a gift for our mamagraun and its people - PNG.</p><p><br /></p><p>#TakeBackPNG</p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-41774679289036314732020-09-13T06:00:00.006-07:002020-09-13T06:57:14.825-07:00 WOMEN TAKE ON TOURISM SME: PROMOTING IT THE CENTRAL WAY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8KlelrO-4g/X14XfbjS6vI/AAAAAAAACac/9h9EoDsn0lwndKcjH3ybn2HnTQvHrZNBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200913_225535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1479" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8KlelrO-4g/X14XfbjS6vI/AAAAAAAACac/9h9EoDsn0lwndKcjH3ybn2HnTQvHrZNBACLcBGAsYHQ/w462-h640/20200913_225535.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Traditional Arts & Crafts, dances, songs, costumes, food and scenic adventures etc. are some of the many things community based tourism can offer for local people in Papua New Guinea.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In Papua New Guinea's Central province, it's no exception. It's a massive untapped industry that can involve and transform thousands of people that lives along the rural peripheries of the Nations Capital Port Moresby.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After a month of getting hospital treatments in Port Moresby, I took a quite bumpy ride along the Hiritano highway into Kairuku where an arts & craft mini show was being held.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Just passed Brown river, the newly sealed stretch of road led us through as I gazed in amazement at the Doa rubber tree plantation. A few roadside markets is no let down for someone looking for cheaper and freshly harvested garden produce. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We arrived at Agevairu, a small shopping hub hosting the Rorobana station where local commuters stop by before continuing their journey. Situated at the junction of a major ring road leading into Hisiu and other coastal villages, Agevairu is somewhat a mini town with a fuel station, a shop, several tuckershops and roadside markets. </p>
<p dir="ltr">This is the fifth time, Mavis Maino has organized a mini arts and craft show for local communities along the Hiritano corridor. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As alluded by Mavis, she is leading a group of women whose interests lies in promoting arts and crafts in Kairuku and providing a platform for Women in Business through their small SME markets.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Traditional Mekeo design bilums, artifacts jewelries and agricultural produces coloured the main arena as the songs and dances filled the atmosphere. </p>
<p dir="ltr">'I would like to say thankyou to Anna Pinu, who is the owner of the Rorobana station. She has been a great supporter since we started this craft market here in 2017,' says Mavis. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Also in attendance was wife of Central Governor Robert Agarobe who is a keen advocate for tourism and SME empowerment in the province. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Miku Agarobe runs Destinations Sogeri in the Koiari LLG of Kairuku-Hiri Central province. Based out of the Kokoda Trail Hotel in Sogeri, Miku has been hosting several leisure and tourism promotions activities since 2019.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Alot of people come to Port Moresby, they fly over Central and go to other parts of the country looking for tourism destinations. </p>
<p dir="ltr">'Its time now we get ourselves organized, revive our cultures, customs and traditions and promote ourselves actively and aggressively to show PNG and the global community that we have something unique in Central province,' says Miku. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Miku also extended an invitation to the Kairuku women to be part of the 1st Sogeri Pineapple Festival to be hosted by the Koiari people at Sogeri this November. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway, I stayed there for two hours and took the trip back. Hoping to take a trip or two anytime I get the luck.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I got this to say;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Central province has a vast history in early colonial settlements. War memorials and remnants are predominantly scattered all over the province. Early Christian missionaries have established strong following in the entire coastal and inland regions of the province and have built monumental church buildings and infrastructures throughout that still stands to this day.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Its rich fertile land grows abundance of organic food crops which can supply Port Moresby and other towns in PNG. Better road access and provision of basic services to remote areas will greatly unearth the massive potential for mass production and supply and putting money back into the local economy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's serene coastline and breathtaking waves provides a perfect destination for sports tourism and fishing expeditions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dirt biking, trekking or simply going off road wont be disappointing in the Central province. Its surely a million different journey. The rugged terrains over the Owen Stanley range holds an adventurous journey for those taking on the challenge to experience the hardships during the Battle of Kokoda. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I hope to return in November for the Pineapple festival and to see the growth of this amazing journey these women will take to empower not just other women but everyone to take tourism in Central province to new heights. </p>
<p dir="ltr">To Mavis Maino, Miku Agarobe and Leonie Hau keep raising our women and men, not just in Kairuku and Koiari but the whole of Central province to revive our cultures and preserve our cultures and traditions for the future.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: #1877f2;">#CentralTourism</span> <span style="background-color: #1877f2;">#Culture</span> <span style="background-color: #1877f2;">#TakeBackPNG</span> </p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-15076839210099005932020-09-09T18:55:00.002-07:002020-09-09T18:55:30.337-07:00EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f64BwhynDbo/X1mGyBGn8pI/AAAAAAAACZ4/G_Xns5OSyU4WONUrYg7Q3Yq25w0EjIDWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20200827-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f64BwhynDbo/X1mGyBGn8pI/AAAAAAAACZ4/G_Xns5OSyU4WONUrYg7Q3Yq25w0EjIDWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h310/IMG-20200827-WA0005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>I never thought of words that would best describe the leadership of someone who was predominantly favored and mandated by the people of Lae.</p><p><br /></p><p>Three years on, John Rosso from being a longtime private entrepreneur and philanthropist, he never had the intention to contest the political office in Lae and Morobe.</p><p><br /></p><p>He was somewhat a private person, who hardly wants publicity for his generosity towards people from all walks of life.</p><p><br /></p><p>He was criticized as not being a good orator when he decided to accept a plea by over a thousand women (mostly widows) to contest the 2017 elections. Nevertheless, he jokingly admitted that politics is not his trade.</p><p><br /></p><p>With no policies emphasized during his campaign, he stood up with a slogan 'For A Better Lae', a statement that aims at restoring confidence in the administration of Lae and making sure the people get what they rightfully deserve. </p><p><br /></p><p>Lae has a backlog of issues with its administration from the district, the city council and other stakeholders that there have been no cohesiveness and partnerships to serve the people. Corruption has riddled and crippled almost all service delivery mechanisms in place.</p><p><br /></p><p>Gross abuse and mismanagement of funding and resources have been prevalent within the systems in place. It has became a norm that nobody care to speak up, put an end to such practices and or even make an attempt to at least fix some of these issues. </p><p><br /></p><p>Law & order problems, ethnic clashes, illegal land grabbing and deteriorating road infrastructures are some of the many legacy issues that were swept under the carpet for decades. </p><p><br /></p><p>Kaikai man and wantok systems were deeply rooted and successive political leadership have succumbed to its deadly venom.</p><p><br /></p><p>The weak were suppressed by those in power. Hundreds of contractors and service providers were not paid their dues while certain cronies and ghost employees were paid.</p><p><br /></p><p>Today, the administrative tussle between LULLG and Lae City Authority is still ongoing despite LCA introducing prudent management of assets, funding and resources owned by the taxpayers of Lae. All these are accredited to his private enterprise background.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many legacy issues in Lae that needs to be addressed. As Mr Rosso alluded there's no easy or quick fix to all of Lae's problems. Funding has been a major setback given the debt level inherited from LULLG to service providers, IRC and Nambawan Super.</p><p><br /></p><p>Criticisms are healthy for good governance and transparency only if people understand the struggle to sought funding and making use of the available resources and limited funding at hand.</p><p><br /></p><p>Under Mr Rosso's leadership, there's been a lot of partnerships with private enterprises, MPG, Australian Consulate and the PANGU-led Government. </p><p><br /></p><p>Change is imminent and those who disagree better have solutions other than spilling hot air to get attention. Many people seek public office for personal gain and enrichment while others leave their comfort zone, sacrifice their career, businesses, family and reputation for the greater good of the people.</p><p><br /></p><p>As his favorite quote says 'Evil prevails when good men do nothing'.</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Independence Day Lae and Papua New Guinea.</p><p><br /></p><p>#ForABetterLae #TakeBackPNG</p><p> </p>Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-22355610322852109262020-06-08T22:47:00.000-07:002020-06-08T22:47:10.864-07:00LAE PROGRESSES WITH POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pTY6daS6do/Xt8iKboJoGI/AAAAAAAAB_8/p1Y0NmfuEsU3PztZzntPvw-abGFmSux2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lae_01_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pTY6daS6do/Xt8iKboJoGI/AAAAAAAAB_8/p1Y0NmfuEsU3PztZzntPvw-abGFmSux2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lae_01_web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">ACCOUNTABILITY, PRUDENT
MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY LURED MORE PARTNERSHIPS FOR LAE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It has been three years since I
was elected to represent my people and hometown as the Member of Parliament for
Lae Open; I did not aspire to be a politician, but over 3000 women (mostly
widows) paid for my nomination fee and asked me to contest.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When I entered office, Lae has a</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> <span lang="EN-US">l</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">ot of legacy issues with bad roads, law and order, rundown
clinics and classrooms among many others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Like any districts in Papua New
Guinea Lae gets only K10million as DSIP funding annually. Our population is
more 300,000 people and with K10million we can't solve all our problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Lae City Authority Act which
was passed by Parliament in 2015 was pushed forward and approved to be
implemented by the then O'Neill-Abel government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">LCA was established with a budget
of K1.5million for three years to get it off the ground. We had a lot of
challenges establishing it with strong opposition from the existing Lae City
Council which was stagnant for many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When LCA took over, we were able
to collect revenue, have proper accounting and asset registry systems in place
to manage the council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Through LCA and our DSIP funding,
we first and foremost helped in fixing our law and order issues. Our valuable
partners ICTSI, Ahi Hope Foundation, NKW, NGCB, PNG Fisheries Authority and
Papindo helped us to build three brand new police stations (Malahang, Omili,
Bundi Camp) and bought a total of 16 police vehicles for our Lae Metropolitan
Command.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">With proactive policing methods
introduced by our then Lae Met Supt (now ACP NCD/Central) Anthony Wagambie Jnr
major crimes rate in Lae was reduced by a massive 80%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thankyou also to the
PNG-Australia partnership through the Australian Federal Police who have funded
a brand-new police communication centre for Lae. Digicel PNG who have been kind
enough to have a reliable toll-free police emergency number installed for
residents to report crime and seek assistance from police.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We still have petty crimes
happening in the city, but we are doing our best to contain it under our new
Met Supt Chris Kunyanban and our partners in installing CCTV cameras at Main
Market, Top Town and Eriku to counter criminal elements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When major crime rates decreased,
business houses started having confidence operating in a safe city. The Lae
Chamber of Commerce started supporting LCA and business houses started
investing in our city. They have also pledge support to our police, health,
education and community initiatives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We have companies like Islands Petroleum
who have partnered through its colour run charity event raised funds to support
schools like Milfordhaven and Butibam Primary School and Milfordhaven Helath
clinic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We have Digicel PNG who will be
renovating our bus stops for five years, NKW bough</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">t</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> and donated a brand-new tractor
and many others who have taken initiatives to keep our city clean and safe for
everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Australian Government through
its Consular General's office in Lae has been very supportive towards the LCA's
vision and mission to make a better Lae. Together we have introduced a labour
mobility scheme for our skilled and semi-skilled people in our city. We have
now launched a hand up program to assist families affected by COVID-19 by
providing cash for service to our mothers and widows in our 23 wards in Lae
district.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We have also secured a massive
K30million funding from World Bank for our Youth Empowerment Program for five
years. Several major companies in Lae have raised their hands to support the
youths that will be trained under this program by employing them. This will
commence by the end of this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We are in talks with the New
Zealand government to build a brand new Lae Main Market for our mothers across
Morobe and the Highlands regions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thankyou also to our Morobe
Governor Ginson Saonu who has been supportive in making funds available through
the MPG to counter fund our suburban road upgrades and other programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Since change of government a year
ago, the PANGU Pati-led government has made funding available to fix the Unitech-Tent
City road and also the Lae-Nadzab highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Japanese government is also
funding the upgrade of Nadzab airport to international standard and that will
boost our ambition for a greater Lae with the establishment of Nadzab township.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">All these have been achieved
because of the faith and trust these organisations have in the LCA and the
leadership and team efforts we have in Lae.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When we are transparent,
accountable and manage our limited funding and resources wisely, we can at
least fix some of our major problems in the city. Everything rise and fall on
leadership and good, prudent management.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have inherited 20years of
negligence and indecisiveness in addressing issues in the country's second
largest city and industrial hub. Criticisms are healthy and we are optimistic
to see greater changes happening in Lae from now into the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Let's all work together in
partnership to make Lae a safe and conducive place for our children and their
children to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica condensed" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/forabetterlae?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG"><span class="58cl"><span style="color: #365899; text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="color: #385898; text-decoration: none;">ForABetterLae</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-89048104012237853462020-04-29T19:37:00.001-07:002020-04-29T19:37:09.469-07:00TAKE BACK PNG FROM NEO-COLONIZATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsa_IIbakYw/Xqo5ViQ61FI/AAAAAAAAB-U/7OTWyLY1r8QXUMAWl9F2y08HU1YwLd5HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/45891368_1895066840588633_2620853051916812288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsa_IIbakYw/Xqo5ViQ61FI/AAAAAAAAB-U/7OTWyLY1r8QXUMAWl9F2y08HU1YwLd5HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/45891368_1895066840588633_2620853051916812288_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Papua
New Guinea over the years has been on the international media spotlight for the
wrong reasons. From illusory cannibalism stories to high level millions of
dollars money laundering schemes involving bureaucrats and politicians and the
gross harvesting of timber and mining activities in the country by foreign
corporations PNG was said to be the safe haven for people wanting to profit
from dirty money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Foreign media outlets have tainted a very
bad image of PNG, and that has forced some reputable investors to shy away from
investing in this nation. Corrupt practices have become a norm in every
government organizations in PNG, it is accepted by almost every regime that
promises to bring change to this under-develop nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Crime and domestic violence have become
tolerant in some homes and societies in this nation and law enforcers are
seemingly reactive other than being proactive.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In rural PNG where 80% of the total
population thrive, the evidences of basic services delivery are scarce. Most
parts of mainland PNG are not connected by road and local villagers spend
several days to get to the nearest government school, health facility or market
etc. Existing road infrastructures, bridges, aid posts, police stations etc.
are in appalling conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mothers are giving birth in makeshift
shelters while their children attend classes under shade trees. The
government’s free education and health policies haven’t reached the rural
population since independence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Abundance of cocoa and coffee beans, copra
and agricultural food crops are left to rot in the villages because of no
markets and no road access. Almost 40% of rural PNG is accessible by air and
its too costly given the high cost of airfreight and physical geography of
these locations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Politicians only show up during general
elections and disappear for five years. If only basic services follow the same
way ballot papers are delivered during election periods.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since 1982, the Ok Tedi Gold and Copper Mine
has been a man-made another disaster for the people of Western province.
Several decades of gold and silver mining have passed, but their (locals)
equity are yet to translate into reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The attempts by certain influences and a small section of the
media to justify a continued role for BHP Billiton in the operation of the Ok
Tedi Gold and Copper Mine and the PNG Sustainable Development Fund (PNGSDF)
have sunk to a new low in desperation and credibility.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The history of the Ok Tedi mine is simply one no Papua New
Guinea government since the mine began operations in the early 1980s can be
proud <span class="skimlinks-unlinked"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">of. And</span></span> nor
can BHP be proud of its majority ownership and managerial control prior to 2002
when it divested itself of its majority shareholding.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The establishment of the Papua New Guinea Sustainable
Development Program (PNGSDP) was designed by BHP to keep control of the mine
and the direction of its profits, principally through the PNGSDF, over which it
clearly exercised effective control.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Closing the mine down, regardless of what that would cost the
local workforce, and small business, and the national budget given that the
mine was the largest source of revenue presented a challenge for the PNG
Government at that time. The response of the then Morauta Government was to
give legislative approval to the future structure BHP insisted on, a structure
which would allow BHP to exercise effective control over the mine’s revenue
flows for as long as the mine continued operating.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The entire Western province depends
heavily on the river systems for survival. Now it’s plagued with malaria and
tuberculosis and holds a steady high record of infant mortality rate in the
country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The main Fly River system (the biggest in
PNG) is dying. Pollution from mining wastes, ships that carry supplies and
other human activities have disturbed and destroyed life along the river
system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mining wastes from the Canadian
company-owned Barrick Porgera Gold Mine in the Enga province have been
discharged using the Strickland river system into the North and South Fly
regions in the Western Province. The environmental damages are extensive and massive
and no government has been able to hold the developers accountable.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the Hidden Valley Gold mine in Morobe
province, landowners are fighting a battle that has dragged on for almost a
decade. The mining Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has not been reviewed as yet
by the government’s Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) for the past eight years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Several agreements under the MoA have not
been met and the developers are getting away from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another similar project in Wafi-Golpu is
emerging and the tussle between the government and landowners is deferring its
commencement. Now the government is negotiating a fair deal between the
affected landowners and the provincial and national governments and the
developers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wafi-Golpu’s lifespan for the next
60-years is projected to help PNG’s economy but the lessons from previous
mining arrangements leaves a lot to be questioned. Environmental impacts,
resettlement and equity for landowners are key areas which the government
basing its argument to delay the mining operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In November 2009, China’s Exim Bank
provided a US$74milliom concessional loan to PNG for the construction of the
Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Vidar, Madang Province. The total cost
of the project was $95million and PNG paid for the remaining $21million. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.75pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The contract stipulates
that 70 percent of the project (worth US$35 million) must go exclusively to a
Chinese developer using Chinese technology, labour and equipment.</span><span lang="en-PG"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.75pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">T</span><span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">he people of PNG </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">paid</span><span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> for a Chinese company
to come and build the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">PMIZ</span><span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> using Chinese equipment</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">,
labor</span><span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> and
supplies.</span><span lang="en-PG"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In September 2009, Shenyang International
Economic and Technical Cooperation company was chosen to be the contractor. The
project included the construction of a wharf and pier, a water and waste
treatment plant, roads, and other key infrastructures. Constructions began in
2011 and was completed by 2013, but the zone was not put into operation until
November 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The locals have totally lost control over
their traditional fishing grounds without any tangible benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bigger fishing boats have blocked off
their lagoons and fishing sites and wastes from these boats have polluted their
mangroves and lakes. The locals who are employed by the Filipino tuna cannery
RD Tuna Canners are paid well below the minimum wage without superannuation
savings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Similar fishery businesses are being
operated in Lae and Wewak where locals are being treated as general laborers
with minimum benefits to take home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The then Somare-government’s promise to
make PNG the tuna capital in the Pacific is a long way to reality and
traditional owners are left to suffer as the government allows these foreign
companies to play second fiddle to the locals.</span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After everything I’ve wrote, the very
people that will be at the forefront to expose and dispose corruption in PNG
are each and everyone of us people of this great nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We need to educate our children, our
families, relatives and our communities to be open minded and have clear
conscience about corrupt practices and tactics. Educate our people not to sell
their land, sea and forests to investors offering millions of kinas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PNG Government must be affirmative with
locals in their stance against neocolonialism from investors who are only here
to fill up their pockets and leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we are serious about taking back PNG,
then let’s start with Porgera and continue to all resource sectors. Revisit the
Hidden Valley MoA, stop the proposed Frieda Mine in the Sepik, stop illegal logging
activities in Oro and Western provinces and remove the Chinese from Basamuk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No matter how hard it takes, I am willing
to stand with my government to educate my people and send corrupt
multi-corporations packing to their country. We got to stop neo-colonization.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Photo & Artwork credit: Sepik Wara Ban Frieda Mine </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sepik-Wara-Ban-Frieda-Mine">https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sepik-Wara-Ban-Frieda-Mine</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#TakeBackPNG</span></div>
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<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-69424337645302419112020-02-26T21:35:00.002-08:002020-02-26T22:24:03.867-08:00LAKES,KAYAKING, WATERFALLS: 15-MINUTES BOAT TRIP FROM LAE CITY<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LL6_O1rGWd4/XldRqYmD14I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/7ZMxR8zdUbwDEsz0BNOEQ_x7lgZvZ1vTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/labu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LL6_O1rGWd4/XldRqYmD14I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/7ZMxR8zdUbwDEsz0BNOEQ_x7lgZvZ1vTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/labu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have you ever wondered where in Lae you would find
white sandy beaches, pristine waters to cool off, take your kids for a picnic
or maybe bring your team for a barbecue in the serenity of nature? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Typically, Lae as the industrial hub of Papua New
Guinea, dusty roads, crowded shopping centers and generally noisy environment
are part of life and business in the Morobean capital.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We don’t see a lot of cruise liners and tourists at
our ports, but more often we are greeted by international friends who came here
for business, studies and work or leisure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have a good number of expatriates who have become
part of Lae and its changes in development over the past decades. They have
families and children who have grown up in Lae, attended our schools, worshiped
at our church, played and supported our sporting teams and have blended into
our culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rE8tHmYfa-I/XldQxOvcRkI/AAAAAAAAB68/emnIBqlVfIoChlNOMZIIrMbZ_gyLyIUmACEwYBhgL/s1600/86191022_190813118964957_5698030049567965184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rE8tHmYfa-I/XldQxOvcRkI/AAAAAAAAB68/emnIBqlVfIoChlNOMZIIrMbZ_gyLyIUmACEwYBhgL/s640/86191022_190813118964957_5698030049567965184_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 2014, Emma Nasinom started the LaeAbout tours as
part of her hobby to take her friends out to her village and unwind after a
busy week of work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Emma who works as a registrar at the Salvation Army’s
Lae Primary School is from Labu-Miti village across the Huon Gulf, a 15minutes
boat ride from the Lae main wharf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Situated along the eastern shoreline off the Markham
river, Labu villages holds a unique experience for people looking for
adventures. Labu people speaks the unique Hapa language which is different from
most coastal villages who mainly communicated in Yabim and Kotec.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 38-year old single mom says her expatriate
colleagues were the first visitors on her first trip and from then her interest
in the business grew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“We do tours around the Labu lake, visit the main
village, trekking, kayaking and trying out the Kupuli waterfall,” an elated but
soft-spoken Emma told me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 2016, Emma brought her guests to the Bula Falls at Busamang
village in Salamaua. This is one of several must-see destination in Morobe for
someone who wish to get away from the hustles and bustles of Lae city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Salamaua is renowned for its part in the Japanese
occupation of Lae during the second World War. Labu had its fair share of the
Battle of Salamaua where war remnants still remain in the lake and swamplands
of the Huon Gulf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“As our motto stated I came, I saw and captured drives
the agenda of visiting Morobe one village at a time,” says Emma. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea7smbi3R34/XldQ08wB9nI/AAAAAAAAB7E/a0yt1eEyC_YDNLb_QT7uymtA9KfKnnIBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/85125214_190813178964951_4479789711660941312_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea7smbi3R34/XldQ08wB9nI/AAAAAAAAB7E/a0yt1eEyC_YDNLb_QT7uymtA9KfKnnIBgCEwYBhgL/s640/85125214_190813178964951_4479789711660941312_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>(From L-R; Shallene, Natasha and Emma at Labu Lake</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 2017, Emma’s sister Shallene came on board and helped
out in setting up and managing a Facebook page that LaeAbout tours use to
advertise its packages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“One of our many challenges is to juggle our full-time
job and family obligations with planning and organizing trips,” says Shallene
who is specialized in IT and software support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They are also getting support from the local villagers
who help out as tour guides, prepare food and provide security for the
tourists. Initially about four young men were engaged; one as the boat
operator, a boat crew, tour guide and the other as an assistant to the trio.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozkupDOQsi8/XldgXwCYhbI/AAAAAAAAB8M/7J7G9eSGBSIgobSlHXb47kqOAWLQT7iZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozkupDOQsi8/XldgXwCYhbI/AAAAAAAAB8M/7J7G9eSGBSIgobSlHXb47kqOAWLQT7iZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Locally prepared food at Labu</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Labu villages have quite a number of local
cuisines to offer. From fresh fish, mud crabs, creamed banana and greens to a
refreshing kulau among others. What more could you ask for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You can bring along your friends, with music box, a
couple of cold ones and enjoy the magnificent view across the Lae port.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“We got our friends from the SIL and some locals
joining us on the tour since 2017. We also did a tour of the main village and
then taking the tourist all the way to Bulolo,” says Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being a small set up, LaeAbout tours is all about
driving a community-based tourism platform where it is planning to involve
other Labu villages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The steps taken by LaeAbout tours are bound to
establish a market for the locals and other tour operators where it will
provide an avenue for all of them to involve and interact with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“We would like to collaborate with other tour operators
so we can share and enhance our experiences and challenges to drive the
industry forward.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXM6VTFEOd4/XldQ0FLeCII/AAAAAAAAB7I/Bw-caY4CEdMtEmLU1xdZOmSLuRZ3OdTsACEwYBhgL/s1600/84981007_190523785660557_5151591638354624512_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="959" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXM6VTFEOd4/XldQ0FLeCII/AAAAAAAAB7I/Bw-caY4CEdMtEmLU1xdZOmSLuRZ3OdTsACEwYBhgL/s640/84981007_190523785660557_5151591638354624512_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Every place has its significance and story to tell,
we need to educate our younger generation and our visitors as well on certain
cultural and historical backgrounds,” added Shallene.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The coastline from Labu up to Busamang in Salamaua is
a nesting ground for leatherback turtles. This March, leatherback turtle eggs
are expected to hatch and photographers are expected to be setting up their
lens from a far.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Emma and Shallene have greater dreams and aspirations
and one of them is preserving the hatching site for leatherback turtles,” says
Lae City Tourism Bureau Executive Officer Maine Sam Winny.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LCTB has been closely checking and giving advise on
the technical aspects of tourism which includes accommodation, security and product
branding etc. which can make a complete tour package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While Emma and Shallene’s are ambitious about
promoting their village and neighboring villages, they ultimately need the
support of the tourism office to help promote their work.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3cvW3bJ8kU/Xldd-lrnk1I/AAAAAAAAB7s/_Un61mWb334LEUZl5P4GanpQCBWP_aygACEwYBhgL/s1600/85010001_190501382329464_977676870310952960_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3cvW3bJ8kU/Xldd-lrnk1I/AAAAAAAAB7s/_Un61mWb334LEUZl5P4GanpQCBWP_aygACEwYBhgL/s640/85010001_190501382329464_977676870310952960_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my next chapter, I am hoping to share my experiences
paddling in a kayak or maybe a fishing expedition at the Labu lake. If time
permits, I might be able to share a few photos as well on leatherback turtles
hatching and eco-tourism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Check LaeAbout tours for your next weekend getaway or
holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iMglokpAQs/Xldd9VwOcPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/HDACyZ9WJncug5iuB2jONciQ0r6joaYcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83231487_794388791060724_2852365361267867648_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="960" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iMglokpAQs/Xldd9VwOcPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/HDACyZ9WJncug5iuB2jONciQ0r6joaYcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/83231487_794388791060724_2852365361267867648_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Photo credit: Fred Cook Jnr (Cookie Piksa)</span></span></div>
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<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-31340099024056826342020-02-23T21:48:00.000-08:002020-02-23T22:06:22.645-08:00DIRT BIKING: THE MT WILHELM EXPERIENCE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDTN1XLL2go/XlNi-8dGpWI/AAAAAAAAB5c/JlauZgi_z_Q-0med2cQVRUzhnNn7hTO4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/niugini%2Bdirt%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDTN1XLL2go/XlNi-8dGpWI/AAAAAAAAB5c/JlauZgi_z_Q-0med2cQVRUzhnNn7hTO4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/niugini%2Bdirt%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was 4am in the morning of Saturday 1st February 2020,
the pick-up wagon pulled over at my place for an early morning dash out of
town. Got my backpack, called up media colleagues, sort them out into two
vehicles and we are off for an exciting journey that will take us through four
provinces and 13 districts in just three days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stopped by at 11mile outside Lae to tie up two bikes
that were on Antonio's ranger. His driver was a bit new to the road and so we
got Larry to be the navigator as we took on the dusty road up to Yalu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PV-Ua7Qfudg/XlNaxImEznI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/OOo6lfDAavwXaXWrtVNvn5ho051-9-DiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/83606191_2590198301105649_8939622870665920512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PV-Ua7Qfudg/XlNaxImEznI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/OOo6lfDAavwXaXWrtVNvn5ho051-9-DiQCEwYBhgL/s640/83606191_2590198301105649_8939622870665920512_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bikes on Antonios ranger</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The sun was kissing the mountains as we raced through the
Markham valley to Watarais junction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-UXlvZTgUg/XlNaq5WfXHI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/trqnXz_E1zI84nTqay341ICO3RvYRz7GwCEwYBhgL/s1600/83166231_2590198444438968_7922613746420154368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-UXlvZTgUg/XlNaq5WfXHI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/trqnXz_E1zI84nTqay341ICO3RvYRz7GwCEwYBhgL/s640/83166231_2590198444438968_7922613746420154368_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Neil at Sasiang creek along the Markham valley</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At Watarais, our small team of media personnel see off our
colleagues and our Lae bikers as they head out to the Ramu Valley in Madang. We
drove up into Goroka, then Kundiawa and arrived at Betty's Lodge in Gembogl at
6pm. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Betty's Lodge at the foot of Mt Wilhelm is a magical place
to visit (which I will write about in my next post) and it feels like being in
Heaven on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcIuCWqhBi0/XlNasdawFbI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/nDPW7qWhfUQlP_A--2qXuSmlpHJU_mokwCEwYBhgL/s1600/83445391_185669002812702_8429774703186411520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcIuCWqhBi0/XlNasdawFbI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/nDPW7qWhfUQlP_A--2qXuSmlpHJU_mokwCEwYBhgL/s640/83445391_185669002812702_8429774703186411520_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Strawberry galore at Daulo Pass</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />The place was getting colder and I could feel my clothes
getting wet till I could no longer feel my fingers. (Thanks to Marchy for
lending me a spare cold shirt) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A group of locals were waiting to welcome us at the main
road. They led us to where the singsing group was warming up. I was thrilled
how tourism & hospitality can bring together a village and a tribe to be
part of its success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdy5WGnbd-8/XlNatCAPGnI/AAAAAAAAB4I/XBfqEX-3R1w5uf41NTzx0bQQ-O1kcZkNACEwYBhgL/s1600/83524163_186320839414185_9025232989193240576_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdy5WGnbd-8/XlNatCAPGnI/AAAAAAAAB4I/XBfqEX-3R1w5uf41NTzx0bQQ-O1kcZkNACEwYBhgL/s640/83524163_186320839414185_9025232989193240576_o.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bundi dancer at Betty's lodge</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />Anyway, back to the dirt bike story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our Lae team arrived at Usino junction where they were met
by four bikers who rode in from Madang town. Our media crew and drivers
returned back to Watarais and took on the Highlands highway to Kundiawa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The 10 bikers started off from Usino junction and wheeled
through the rugged terrains, wet crossings and steep climbs up to 7000ft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmCzuQ4MfQU/XlNdZ2PjVKI/AAAAAAAAB44/Y8NQcem07rUzFNSuGe-XhOT0r5JmlYXHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/84735427_814021075676090_5275053398150873088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmCzuQ4MfQU/XlNdZ2PjVKI/AAAAAAAAB44/Y8NQcem07rUzFNSuGe-XhOT0r5JmlYXHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/84735427_814021075676090_5275053398150873088_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Daniel and Neil with Imure Fire-Head Dancers in Bundi</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At Snowpass, they were greeted by the Imure fire-head
dancers from Karizokara in Inland Bundi, Madang province.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Only two bikers made it to Betty's Lodge at 9:30pm that
evening. Cold shivered and bruises burning with the cold, Neil and Daniel head
straight to a fitting therapy beside the fireplace at Betty's lodge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Eight other bikers who ran out of fuel had to stay
overnight at Snowpass were well received by the locals. I heard</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">,</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> they slept in a small hut,
well guarded by locals who were stunned by the bikers passing through what has
been a bush track to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC333E_7hBU/XlNdZDRjNnI/AAAAAAAAB40/z63Wx7OGG9Y94HmFxKqg4JLIGIPaG48_gCEwYBhgL/s1600/84346903_814021265676071_1627750596108877824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC333E_7hBU/XlNdZDRjNnI/AAAAAAAAB40/z63Wx7OGG9Y94HmFxKqg4JLIGIPaG48_gCEwYBhgL/s640/84346903_814021265676071_1627750596108877824_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bikers enjoying coffee in the company of locals at Snowpass</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />By midnight, other crew members arrived at Betty's Lodge,
had a decent meal prepared from locally bred trout fish, rice, potatoes and veg</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">etables.</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> A warm blanket over our heads
and day one was dusted</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> off</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday was another mist-ical morning at the foot of one of Southern Hemisphere's highest peak Mt Wilhelm 9,500ft/2850m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The singsing groups were out with the birds and excitement
was already in the air to welcome the remaining bikers as support vehicles left
Betty's lodge for Snowpass.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Shivering with cold, I took a walk with media friends
through Betty's flower galore. It was like walking through the Garden of Eden
as flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes lined up a narrow pathway towards
the trout fish farm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, fast-forward it two hours later, the bikers started
arriving from Snowpass at Betty's Lodge. Twenty Simbu bikers led by Abigail
Kaupa rode through the rugged stony road from Gembogl station to Mt Wilhelm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K6Xd54sFxo/XlNaxk2N0JI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Ug2e1dU9aZY5r9WMxgbkbNkb_UEln8E4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/83611647_186300712749531_6633766160506552320_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K6Xd54sFxo/XlNaxk2N0JI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Ug2e1dU9aZY5r9WMxgbkbNkb_UEln8E4wCEwYBhgL/s640/83611647_186300712749531_6633766160506552320_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Barbecued trout fish at Betty's Lodge<br /></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmdjqHjbb6I/XlNa0XQjmRI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/HOfyKC-eQCIe9Wpc0bfDvMw4y9onanIHACEwYBhgL/s1600/83927455_186300782749524_1647352027983904768_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmdjqHjbb6I/XlNa0XQjmRI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/HOfyKC-eQCIe9Wpc0bfDvMw4y9onanIHACEwYBhgL/s640/83927455_186300782749524_1647352027983904768_o.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trout fish prepared for barbecue</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />At around midday, trout fish were barbecued and served with
fresh watercress collected from streams coming down from Mt Wilhelm. The fish
delicacy was best compared to what you may find at any major restaurants in
Papua New Guinea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By 1pm, we left Betty's Lodge as bikers wheelied through
the villages and locals cheering in excitement. It was something new that
people from such remote parts of PNG dont have the privilege to witness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The people were friendly and wished us safe journey as we
passed through. I know it would be a story to tell for generations. Some of us
stopped over to take a photo or two were greeted with excitement. Such
experience is not for the soft-hearted, Papua New Guineans are truly amazing
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At 3pm, the bikers arrived at the newly constructed Gembogl
road, a perfect condition for wheelies and free riding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With a police escort, the bikers meandered through the
sharp turns</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> into Kundiawa</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">. Pangs was handy behind the wheels and
really got a few bikers</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">thinking “It might be scary inside
the vehicle”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUHPHVIeOA0/XlNhJGQ1SKI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/cGZWshFolVUgpInZJpbx_DfTlrWyfdgiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/niugini%2Bdirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUHPHVIeOA0/XlNhJGQ1SKI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/cGZWshFolVUgpInZJpbx_DfTlrWyfdgiACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/niugini%2Bdirt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The ride into Kundiawa town stole
the show on that lazy Sunday afternoon. “Four-corner Town” they used to say, Kundiawa
came alive on that afternoon as the visiting bikers wheelied around town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSwu2v1Oo2o/XlNdWHLoYRI/AAAAAAAAB5A/PA_17NizB1E90rSzTeZ9Tc8R5ighrgLWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/83926301_814021415676056_420343488572293120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSwu2v1Oo2o/XlNdWHLoYRI/AAAAAAAAB5A/PA_17NizB1E90rSzTeZ9Tc8R5ighrgLWQCEwYBhgL/s640/83926301_814021415676056_420343488572293120_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A stop over for a farewell as thousands
scream their hearts out in excitement as we left Kundiawa and freewheeling the
highway back to Goroka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As it dusks over Daulo pass, the
bikers rode in through Asaro and into Goroka town. We tailed the riders and
caught up with Antonio somewhere close to Asaro at dark. His lights weren’t
working so we escorted him slowly into Bird of Paradise hotel in Goroka.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stayed overnight in Goroka and
then left for Lae the next day. It was an experience that will never be
forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some of our friends from Port Moresby
flew out from Goroka, we left bikers back in Goroka and us we had to travel on
back on the highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The following days, photos were
shared, stories were published and footages appeared on TV news but I was still
looking for words to put into this blog write up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOVLiuQB8Rs/XlNa5IFMG-I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/h5h-R_pDRZ4cm-ueIqzcNWv36LYgEcN0ACEwYBhgL/s1600/84343547_185716706141265_581484124577988608_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOVLiuQB8Rs/XlNa5IFMG-I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/h5h-R_pDRZ4cm-ueIqzcNWv36LYgEcN0ACEwYBhgL/s640/84343547_185716706141265_581484124577988608_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Up till today, I still want to take
another trip up to Mt Wilhelm or maybe spend a couple of weeks in Gembogl for
instance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What a wonderful world we live in
and in the words of the Niugini Dirt Bikers “the riders will have memories to
cherish for a lifetime. This is Real PNG. People who have nothing gave
everything for the riders when they needed assistance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Photos courtesy of Cookie Piksa</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cookie-Piksa-110883800291223/">https://www.facebook.com/Cookie-Piksa-110883800291223/</a></span></div>
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Niugini Dirt</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/niugini.dirt">https://www.facebook.com/niugini.dirt</a></div>
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<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-7302680042720417082020-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:002020-02-19T20:08:03.755-08:00WHISTLE BLOWERS ACT – A VITAL TOOL TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN PNG<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL1y3oSau3A/Xk4Ag_onZoI/AAAAAAAAB1I/PnEHk-pqMZM_dWkmYvh8VIaU3jqR3XpXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/what-is-the-whistleblower-law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL1y3oSau3A/Xk4Ag_onZoI/AAAAAAAAB1I/PnEHk-pqMZM_dWkmYvh8VIaU3jqR3XpXACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/what-is-the-whistleblower-law.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Parliament’s
enactment of the Whistle Blowers Act to protect our people who are giving evidences
and information on corruption in Papua New Guinea is a welcoming news for our
democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Whistle Blowers Act
protects people who report against corruption and corrupt dealings from within
their organization from facing disciplinary actions against their actions. </span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WHISTLE BLOWERS AT WORKPLACE</span></b></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b>
</span><br />
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Whistle-blowers are
often viewed by their employers as traitors to the organisation.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They
can be subjected to harassment from their superiors or demoted to idle
positions where they are effectively denied chances to engage in substantial work
– possibly lasting until they reach the mandatory retirement age.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
(The National July 2019)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: adobe gurmukhi;"><br /></span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Whether this Bill
gives that protection to whistle-blowers, though, is far from certain.</span></span></span><br /><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Welcome news is
that journalists will also be covered in the course of their work report on
corruption.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also covered will be
private citizens and public officers.</span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The National July 2019)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: adobe gurmukhi;"><br /></span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Whistle-blowers,
however, take the risk of facing stiff reprisal and retaliation from those who
are accused or alleged of wrongdoing.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The National July 2019)</span><br />
<span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">To be effective, these laws cannot leave what constitutes
protected activity up for interpretation.</span></span></span></span><br /><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Most times whistle-blowers
are penalised for not using proper channels to make their disclosures, when
doing so would require the whistleblower to trust the company or agency whose
conduct he is exposing.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The
National July 2019)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: adobe gurmukhi;"><br /></span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The definition of
proper channels should therefore be broadened to include the media.</span></span></span><br /><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Often the media are
a whistle-blower’s only real option, and exposing the unethical or illegal
behaviour to the public is crucial.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The
National July 2019)</span><br />
</div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The law should prohibit employers from giving such unfair treatment to
workers for blowing the whistle, but it is essentially toothless to stop them
in the absence of penalties for violators. The law when enacted should be made
crystal clear what kind of activity is protected, or under what circumstances.</span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The National July 2019)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Employees of conscience who see those in a position of authority abuse
their power have a moral duty to speak out, and deserve legal protection for
their public service.</span><span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whistle-blowers should
be seen as essential to a functioning democracy.</span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The National July 2019)</span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is one of the legislations
that the country and the people have been crying for Parliament to enact so it
protects the people who wants to report and fight against corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Act, once passed,
will shield those who stand up, often at great personal risk, for the sake of truth
and the public interest.<span style="background: white; color: black;"> (The National July 2019)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Bill aims to provide
protection to whistleblowers who make public any corruption, criminal activity or
wrongdoing by those in power. <span style="background: white; color: black;">(The National July 2019)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";"><b>WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS ACT?</b></span></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whistle-blowers are a vital tool in keeping a check on official
misconduct.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-PG" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Wikipedia says a
whistleblower (also written as whistle-blower or whistle blower) is a person
who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal,
unethical, or not correct within an organisation that is either private or
public.</span></span></span><span lang="en-PG" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The
National July 2019)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WHAT THE TIPNG SAYS ABOUT WHISTLE
BLOWERS ACT</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">According to the Transparency
International of Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) t</span><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">he 2009 Commission of
Inquiry into the Department of Finance has, among its recommendations, called
for the introduction and enactment of whistle-blower legislation to boost the
fight against corruption in PNG.</span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There have been cases in the PNG bureaucracy over
the years where whistle-blower civil servants were terminated from their
employment (Tokunai, 2011). In February 2017 the Department of Defence sacked 9
staff for revealing details of the controversial Manumanu land deal (Yapumi,
PNG Loop, 2017). TIPNG defended the terminated officers and urged bureaucrats
who are witness to corrupt activities to speak out (Wiseman, 2017).</span><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The draft of the 2015 Organic Law on the
Independent Commission Against Corruption has a section dedicated to protecting
whistle blowers. It states that a person is not liable to any civil or criminal
action, including disciplinary proceedings, if the person in good faith gives
or provides information to assist the commission. </span><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In August 2017, Constitutional Law Reform
Commission secretary Dr Eric Kwa, in his address at the 2017 PNG update forum
held at the University of Papua New Guinea, proposed the creation of
whistle-blowers law to allow the leaders of public servants to speak out about
corruption without fear of being punished <a href="https://postcourier.com.pg/proposal-law-protect-whistle-blowers/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">(Sii, Post Courier, 2017)</span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He said that the legislation has been outstanding
for 42 years, and they were preparing a draft to be presented to the government
(Sii, Post Courier, 2017). Dr Kwa stated that, “public service leaders face the
issue of always answering to politicians, and they face the dilemma of either
keeping their jobs or telling the truth, adding that some of them cannot find
any other job outside of the public service” (Sii, Post Courier, 2017).</span><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;">PNG WHISTLE-BLOWERS
SILENCED BY LACK OF APPROPRIATE LAWS</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span lang="en-PG" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.pngattitude.com/2015/07/png-whistle-blowers-silenced-by-lack-of-appropriate-legislation.html">https://www.pngattitude.com/2015/07/png-whistle-blowers-silenced-by-lack-of-appropriate-legislation.html</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">The
whistle-blower is expected to initially use internal organisational mechanisms
to report wrong-doing. This may include the immediate superior, more distant
superiors or a designated integrity officer.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">If the issues raised are swept under the carpet
and not acted upon, then the whistle-blower can report to external integrity
agencies such as Task Force Sweep, the Ombudsman Commission, the Public Service
Commission or the Auditor General.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes such agencies are referred to as the fourth arm of
government. There is consensus within the international community that
anti-corruption legislation and measures need to be be monitored by specialised
bodies with adequate powers, resources and training.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">The whistle-blower is also able to pass
information to a member of parliament to raise the issue in parliament if it is
a serious matter that may jeopardise the public good. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">If all these avenues are exhausted, or are
perceived not to be effective, and there is no sign of redress, then the media
may be a good avenue to expose problems. In Papua New Guinea, the <em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Post Courier</span></em> is more objective than <em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">The National</span></em> but, due to threats and
coercion by politicians and their henchmen, all reporting is more subjective
nowadays.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Recently social media has caused some discomfort
to the corrupt fat cats who occasionally threaten to sue or introduce laws to
control the media, just like what they want to do to the judiciary through the
Judicial Conduct Bill a year back.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">There are various types of wrongdoing and they
can be categorised as illegal, unethical, dangerous or inefficient. Illegal
acts include corruption, subverting the course of justice and theft.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Unethical conduct includes patronage and
breaching public service values, such as soldiers or police working for
corporate interests or running their own security businesses using state issued
firearms and other equipment.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Dangerous activities include polluting rivers and
land, unsafe work practices like exposing workers to asbestos or using the same
syringe to inject everyone without cleaning or changing it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Inefficiency covers practices as people sitting
on their bum and surfing Facebook during working hours or clocking off at 1 pm
and going off to the Lamana Hotel to sit in front of the poker machines with a
calming glass of rum and ice.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">There’s also waste - irrational economic
decisions that provide no value for money in the discharge of government
activities.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">All these vices should be reported, recognising
that the motive for whistle-blowing must be public interest and not personal or
political advantage.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Some people argue that the motive behind
whistle-blowing is irrelevant when there is ample evidence of illegality and
unethical behavior.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">The argument goes that if one uses the
established mechanisms to discredit a hated rival then it is still legal as
long as the allegations can be substantiated with ample evidence in a court of
law.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">A Whistle-blower Protection Act would shield
whistle-blowers from reprisals and offer immunities from liability but PNG has
never thought of this.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">In the best interests of people, the government
should also enact a Public Interest Disclosure Act to</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">encourage and enable public
servants to raise suspected wrongdoing within the public service.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Government departments, state-owned enterprises
and the criminal justice system would have responsibilities under such
legislation to investigate suspected wrongdoing and take appropriate action.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">The Ombudsman Commission with other integrity
agencies would have a key role in the monitoring and oversight of a Public
Interest Disclosure Act and could provide assistance to whistle-blowers and
agencies.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">In PNG, the impediments to whistle-blowing can be
minimised with the passage of such appropriate legislation. Legal protection,
anonymity and a supportive ethical culture are the basics of effective and
honest organisation which will encourage people to pursue justified
whistle-blowing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">At the moment, the main impediments are fear of
reprisals from superiors and colleagues, the absence of legal protection and
delays in getting results.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi";">Modern digital technology makes whistle-blowing
easier but the PNG government has not supported this fourth arm adequately in
the past, probably because there is much to hide and there is fear of the
consequences of instruments like a Whistle-blowers Protection Act and a Public
Interest Disclosure Act. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "adobe gurmukhi"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the next part, I will discuss
responsible reporting by media organisations as a lot of witnesses of
corruption will be running to the media for exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-49032581824188680352019-10-31T04:08:00.000-07:002019-10-31T04:08:08.873-07:00Dear Mr Gavman: Dont Let My Child Be Defined By The State Of My Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJgpPgsXuTg/Xbq_KNLI36I/AAAAAAAABzg/2ViyN11GfAglIP4KUplxSevKerOcsznPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1572519677411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJgpPgsXuTg/Xbq_KNLI36I/AAAAAAAABzg/2ViyN11GfAglIP4KUplxSevKerOcsznPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1572519677411.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Joys Eggins wrote an important note to our government of the day;<br />
<br />
Dear Mr Gavman<br />
<br />
See this pic? That's my daughter. She's going to the market with her papumeri.<br />
<br />
She's a beautiful little girl, full of life. Em misis tumas.<br />
<br />
She's going to inherit a country different from her papumeri'. It'll be the one we make today.<br />
<br />
Like every parent, I want what's best for her. I pray I can give her that. As far as I can I will.<br />
<br />
But that means a lot of keeping up.<br />
<br />
I don't want her to be defined by the state of her country. To be of poor health because there's no medicine. To be poorly educated because the schools can't deliver. To be limited.<br />
<br />
She's going to grow up and quickly learn it's even harder for some of her friends. It will be heartbreaking to meet that friend who went through hell.<br />
<br />
You see, they're all going to have dreams of one day becoming somebody. Wai bai nogat!<br />
<br />
Mr Gavman but there are thieves lurking in the dark! They think it's OK to take away their dreams. 😡 em ol sunk blo moni na pawa.<br />
<br />
They'll steal their dreams and force them to keep up.<br />
<br />
That's our everyday Mr Gavman. It doesn't have to be theirs.Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-51348022940415974522019-10-30T22:20:00.002-07:002019-10-30T22:20:47.542-07:00A TRUE BLUE KUMUL - Tribute to Late Thomas Pelika<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoAnwbJ_MiM/XbptWejlPCI/AAAAAAAABzU/CvNqwCHzPLYc03VPzWfsohCAzYB_ofE4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1572498613869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoAnwbJ_MiM/XbptWejlPCI/AAAAAAAABzU/CvNqwCHzPLYc03VPzWfsohCAzYB_ofE4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1572498613869.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A former senior journalist and political staff Elliot Raphael writes a hearthfelt tribute to Late Thomas Netato Pelika, Member for Menyamya and former Minister for Police.<br />
<br />
Probably age, commitment to God Almighty and a simple change of heart that mellowed him.<br />
<br />
But Thomas Pelika MP Menyamya was a 'hard nut to crack' in his hey days. I got to know Mr Pelika as a no nonsense boxer copper when he was the PSC for Kerowagi around 1977.<br />
<br />
I was only 7. Pelika had a boxing club comprising mostly police personnel and he ensured special occassions in Kerowagi were celebrated with bouts of boxing feasts.<br />
<br />
He used the code as his PR driver.<br />
<br />
It was the first time I got introduced to him by my late dad Raphael Tingia. But as soon as I got to know him, he moved on.<br />
<br />
Two decades later and I met up with him at Parliament - this time him as an MP and I as a reporter. Those who know him will attest.<br />
<br />
He was a firebrand leader. He ensured he was heard.<br />
<br />
He lasted two terms then hybernated for a decade and a half before re-emerging in 2017 as a third termer under Pangu.<br />
<br />
This time he was calm, cool and collected. And I found the opportunity to meet up with him yet again.<br />
<br />
I made sure I met him in person and retraced his hey days in my beloved Kerowagi.<br />
<br />
We shared a good yarn over it. But again, as soon as we've gotten to reintroduce ourselves, he's gone.<br />
<br />
Morobe has lost a leader. Only God knows how it feels. Rest In Eternal Peace, my leader my country man.Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-60006035750471561542019-10-25T22:04:00.002-07:002019-10-25T22:04:17.794-07:00THE DECEITS AND LIES OF POLITICS (PART I)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
AFTER THE 2017 NATIONAL GENERAL ELECTIONS<br />
<br />
The tenth parliament that was convened after the 2017 National General Elections has unanimously voted for Peter O’Neill and his People’s National Congress Party (PNC) to be in government.<br />
<br />
Certain politicians (both independents and party affiliated) switched camps and joined O’Neill and the government coalition. Some lured by huge sums of money (for personal gain), ministerial portfolios and some with the promise for development in their electorates.<br />
<br />
PANGU Pati was one major political party to defect from the Opposition to join ranks in the then O’Neill-Abel government. Sam Basil was given the Communications and Energy ministerial portfolios, William Samb Bougainville Affairs and two others given vice-ministerial powers.<br />
<br />
Basil justified his move to government in the name of development for his PANGU electorates, after spending more than 10years as an Opposition MP. Basil failed to disclose the price tag for each of his members that he allegedly sold to ‘enemy number one’ and brought along to the government side. That leaves a lot of criticisms for Basil and his PANGU team with the people of Morobe decried as being fooled by Basil.<br />
<br />
The National Alliance (NA) party remained a major coalition in the Opposition together with PNG Party, Allegiance and others.<br />
<br />
Opposition leader Patrick Pruaitch together with Bryan Kramer, Kerenga Kua, Allan Marat, Sir Mekere Morauta and others were vocal on many decisions and policies put forward by the then O’Neill-Abel government.<br />
<br />
The 2018 APEC expenditure was one of the most controversial issues that saw the government spending more than K40million in an exorbitant Maserati deal and not a single Maserati was used during the summit.<br />
<br />
Bryan Kramer raised numerous serious allegations against Peter O’Neill and several of his ministers at that time. One of which was O’Neill’s citizenship status and his legitimacy as the Prime Minister.<br />
<br />
For more than two years O’Neill has blatantly lied on the floor of parliament that PNG’s economy was improving. In reality, hospitals, schools and government services were closing down due to no funding. Roads, bridges and infrastructures were deteriorating all over the country. All these did not reflect the government policies under the stewardship of PNC Party and its coalition partners.<br />
<br />
O’Neill has always been known for running to the courts to seek refuge when confronted with a warrant of arrest. Numerous attempts by the opposition to put forward Motions on No Confidence against the Prime Minister were always shelved by the parliament seeking interpretation from the courts. O’Neill used the judiciary to define the roles of the legislative arm.<br />
<br />
The events that unfolded before and during the weeks leading up the Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) in May 2019 have demonstrated how political parties and politicians in Papua New Guinea can change allegiance in their pursuit of power.<br />
<br />
VoNC MAY 2019<br />
<br />
James Marape the then Minister for Finance and a member of the ruling PNC party was the first to resign from the cabinet in April 2019. Marape claimed that the country’s economy was not improving and the books have been decorated to impress investors, the business community and the people of Papua New Guinea.<br />
<br />
Marape moved out along with Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Southern Highlands’ William Powi and other Ministers including Defence Solan Mirisin and Health Dr Puka Temu.<br />
<br />
The next major crack in the then government was created when O’Neill’s staunch supporter and PNC strongman Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas withdrew from the government. He brought with him Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp and Attorney General Davis Steven who were members of his former Peoples Party (PP).<br />
<br />
The Opposition at that time had four camps, but one major goal and that is to end the reign of Peter O’Neill and his ruling PNC party.<br />
<br />
The original Opposition MPs had their camp at the Sanctuary Hotel, Marape at Laguna and Ipatas at Bluff Inn. Kerenga Kua and others decided to be based at Kua’s Dream Inn which is about a couple hundred meters from Marape’s Laguna camp.<br />
<br />
The Laguna camp has been the central point of discussions and it is the main location at which government defectors are being received daily.<br />
<br />
PANGU PATI POLITICS<br />
<br />
For over some months, there have been an ongoing issue with the political leadership of PANGU Pati. Sam Basil who singlehandedly resurrected PANGU in 2014 went into the Goilala by-election in 2015 and William Samb was declared the first to win under Basil’s leadership.<br />
<br />
Basil and Samb brought PANGU into the 2017 National General Elections and won 7 seats in Morobe, 2 in Madang and 1 in Central.<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Sam Basil – Bulolo<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon Thomas Pelika – Menyamya<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Kennedy Wenge – Nawaeb<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Kobby Bomareo – Tewai Siassi<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Renbo Paita – Finschafen<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Koni Iguan – Markham<br />
7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Ginson Saonu – Morobe Governor<br />
8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Bryan Kramer – Madang<br />
9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Chris Yer Nangoi – Sumkar<br />
10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. William Samb - Goilala<br />
<br />
Leading up to the formation of government, more MPs joined PANGU Pati.<br />
<br />
The new MPs that joined PANGU were;<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. John Rosso – Lae<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Lekwa Gure – Rigo<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Robert Agarobe – Central Governor<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Henry Amuli – Sohe<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta – Moresby North-West<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Dr Lino Tomo – Wabag<br />
7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Peter Sapia – Raikost<br />
<br />
PANGU Pati was then the second biggest coalition partner in the Opposition with 17 members. It was also a major player in debating policies with the government.<br />
<br />
A couple of months in the Opposition and information have been leaked within the party caucus that Basil will moving over to the government. Three new members of the party disputed the proposed move and remained with the Opposition.<br />
<br />
These MPs were;<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Bryan Kramer<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hon. Dr Lino Tom<br />
<br />
Those that followed Basil over to the government were used as scapegoats. Only Basil and Samb were given ministerial portfolios.<br />
<br />
Hence, the issue on political leadership of PANGU was again brought up by the party executives Morris Tovebae and Patrick Pundao. Both have been making allegations of misuse of party funds against Basil and have been going in and out of court to have Basil removed as party leader. However, PANGU’s parliamentary wing have always unanimously voted for Basil and Samb to be party leaders.<br />
<br />
Pundao and Tovebae have been alleged to have solicited monies from intending candidates in 2017 with the promise of endorsing them under PANGU Pati. Unfortunately, all of them were not approved by the then leader Sam Basil.<br />
<br />
Basil cited that both Pundao and Tovebae have done little or nothing for PANGU Pati into the 2017 NGE and numerous requests for party conventions were always turned down by these executives.<br />
<br />
Basil was in talks with executives from Melanesian Alliance (MA) Party to be given the leadership after it’s political leader Joseph Yopiyopi resigned and joined the ruling PNC party.<br />
<br />
In May 2019, PANGU Pati members convened at the tenth floor of MRDC Haus in Downtown Port Moresby. At around 5pm a motion was put forward for massive resignation by all members of PANGU excluding Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu who wished to remain with PANGU.<br />
<br />
It was a heartbreaking moment, a pioneer political party in PNG with a short history after being resurrected is about to be dismantled over differences between its political leader and executives.<br />
<br />
The next day, members convened again at the same location, called a press conference and announced their official resignation from PANGU. The events that followed after the announcement paved way for a new government to be formed in the next couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
The eight (8) MPs that joined MA were;<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sam Basil<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Koni Iguan<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thomas Pelika<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lekwa Gure<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kennedy Wenge<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peter Sapia<br />
7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris Yer Nangoi<br />
8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pogio Ghate<br />
<br />
PANGU SEAL 6<br />
<br />
Six (6) members of the PANGU Pati after announcing their resignation went straight to the Laguna Hotel where they were received by James Marape and his team.<br />
<br />
The 6 members were;<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>John Rosso<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Robert Agarobe<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Renbo Paita<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kobby Bomareo<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>William Samb<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Henry Amuli<br />
<br />
They were joined there by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu who has assumed the party leadership being the only remaining MP who hasn’t tendered a resignation.<br />
<br />
Were their resignations null and void? Yes, there are still members of PANGU Pati and the resignations were verbally announced and letters were not presented to the party leaders and executives.<br />
<br />
The six MPs were in there to lure the big fish and PANGU leadership would be a suitable bait to give a fresh start to a new government.<br />
<br />
Discussions were ongoing between Marape and the PANGU team.<br />
<br />
Finally, James Marape agreed and joined PANGU Pati together with 14 of his government defectors.<br />
<br />
In Part (II), we will look at the events that transpired in the weeks leading up to the actual day of VoNC. We will look at what the discussion was like behind the curtains of Laguna, the text messages, group whatsapp messages and the failed Angoram Maneuver that somewhat unveiled the plots to destroy the Laguna camp.Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-7041873356937892412019-05-28T06:41:00.001-07:002019-05-28T06:41:13.766-07:00MARAPE: Young Leaders Must Rise Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
For over a month, I've been closely following one of Papua New Guinea's vibrant and young political leader in James Marape.<br />
<br />
After 7 years of serving as a minister under Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's cabinet, Marape calls it quit on April 11th 2019.<br />
<br />
His resignation as PNG's Finance Minister came as a surprise for many of his supporters. He fragmented the ruling Peoples National Congress (PNC) party and lured a good number of government MP's and ministers to the Opposition.<br />
<br />
Papua New Guineans were anticipating a Vote of No Confidence in PM O'Neill and Marape's defection gave hope for a new government comprising young and vibrant leaders.<br />
<br />
He was nominated as the Opposition's choice for alternate Prime Minister and later joined the oldest political party in PNG - PANGU Pati.<br />
<br />
After a week, he resigned as the alternate PM nominee and invited MPs and political party leaders from the government to join opposition.<br />
<br />
He was selfless in his decisions and made sure a change in the country's political leadership is imminent.<br />
<br />
Marape was charismatic and his humility attracted more MPs to cross over.<br />
<br />
His words following today's parliament session speaks alot about a young vibrant leader who has alot to offer for this great nation.<br />
<br />
"Today was eventful, may I thank the original 24 at Laguna plus 4 others who joined later to have cast your trust on me, in a democratic process I requested at Laguna for the alternate PM , I collected 28 of the 67 leaders vote on offer.<br />
<br />
I may not gain the nomination for PM now but I gain 28 great PNG leader men as my compatriots for the cause of truly making PNG the “richest black Christian nation” on earth. Together we will work our share for PNG into the future.<br />
<br />
I will loose no sleep if I ever don’t be PM in my life but I want a government that put’s national interest ahead of personal and corporate interest, a government that respects landowners, all 89 districts, all 22provinces and builds our local business women and men and collect greater wealth from our resources and distributes to all corners of PNG.<br />
<br />
To my supporters and both virtual and actual friends, my family and people of Hela , we owe it to the supporters and families of 28 other leaders who stood with me. Thankyou all for your never ending faith in the cause you requested me to take for our country.<br />
<br />
It has never been about me but us here in Laguna, I never stepped down as FM on 11/4/2019 to be PM and I am frankly happy that I am not the PM nominee.<br />
<br />
May a better road for PNG be found in our deliberations hence forth and I look forward to freely contributing better policies for the country , especially in areas of resource laws I feel is relevant to prop up our economy!<br />
<br />
To the younger generation, let no older men tell you, you can’t do any thing or fight for your rights, I just showed that it can be done, you can lose a battle in between but get up, so you don’t lose the war."<br />
<br />
HulukumaiyaSylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-88437944984595542122019-05-26T21:31:00.000-07:002019-05-26T21:48:27.654-07:00MASIU: BOUGAINVILLEANS WONT FORGET SANDLINE CRISIS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Deputy Opposition Leader, and Shadow Inter-government and Bougainville<br />
Relations Minister, the Member for South Bougainville Honourable Timothy Masiu says the people of Bougainville are closely watching developments relating to the purported appointment of Sir Julius Chan as Prime Minister by Peter O’Neill.<br />
<br />
“With all due respect to Sir Julius as a founding father of this nation, the Sandline Affair, a defining moment in the history of Papua New Guinea, which resulted in his resignation as Prime Minister has not yet been forgotten by not just the people of Bougainville, but also the many Papua New Guineans that took the streets to protest against the involvement of foreign mercenaries in ending the Bougainville crisis.”<br />
<br />
The team leading the country at the time also included the former<br />
Deputy Prime Minister, and current Governor of Gulf Honourable Chris<br />
Haivetta.<br />
<br />
“For those of you who may have forgotten the details, or who may have been too young to remember, or who may have a more watered down recollection, let me remind you on behalf of the people of Bougainville of the events of March 1997.”<br />
<br />
After failed attempts to both negotiate a peace deal and also defeat the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, the Chan-Haivetta Government turned to Sandline International, a company led by a retired Scots Guards Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer, as both Australia and New Zealand had refused to assist.<br />
<br />
Sandline specialised in providing arms,<br />
equipment, and contractors to participate in conflicts. At the heart<br />
of the conflict was control over CRA’s Panguna Mine.<br />
<br />
When the Sandline Affair was leaked in the Australian media by the Australian Newspaper there was a public uproar. The news quickly broke in PNG.<br />
<br />
PNGDF soldiers were approached by members of a local NGO called Melanesian Solidarity who wanted to consolidate a military and civil society protest against the Chan-Haivetta decision to engage Sandline.<br />
<br />
Chan was forced to resign as Prime Minister after operation “Rausim<br />
Kwick” which was planned by the then Commander of the PNG Defence Force Jerry Singirok and commanded by Major Walter Enuma, and began<br />
on the evening of the 16th of March 1997.<br />
<br />
In twenty-four hours they<br />
had arrested and disarmed the mercenaries.<br />
<br />
On the 17th of March Singirok gave Chan, Haivetta and Defence Minister Mathias Ijape 48 hours to resign. Chan responded by refusing to resign and instead sacked Singirok.<br />
<br />
The NGO’s began nation wide strikes in support of General Singirok. Singirok accepted his termination and urged the<br />
rank and file to support his replacement. He denied that he had sought to take power in any sort of Coup.<br />
<br />
During this period the Governor General, Sir Wiwa Korowi took out a<br />
full page ad accusing the Government of widespread corruption.<br />
<br />
Protests continued to grow, and despite the potential for Defence /<br />
Police clashes, the army observed great discipline under the watchful<br />
eye of Major Enuma.<br />
<br />
Chan was forced to cancel the Sandline deal and announce an inquiry –<br />
Singirok and Enuma had achieved their most important goal, however<br />
they continued to demand Chan, Haivetta, and Ijapes resignations.<br />
<br />
On the 21st of March all Sandline personnel were withdrawn from PNG. Only Tim Spicer remained to give evidence.<br />
<br />
After immense public pressure Chan sacked both Haivetta and Ijape and resigned himself on the 26th<br />
of March.<br />
<br />
The following year a peace deal was negotiated in Bougainville.<br />
<br />
“Too often here in PNG we suffer from a short memory in relation to issues of national significance such as this.<br />
<br />
I urge those members of Parliament who continue to support the O’Neill regime camped at the Crown Hotel to think carefully and follow your conscience before any vote takes place on the floor of Parliament.<br />
<br />
Only on the floor of Parliament can a Prime Minister be selected.<br />
<br />
In a race to secure access to a commodity, copper, during the Sandline Affair the leaders of the day, Chan and Haivetta were willing to sacrifice the safety and security of the innocent men, women and children of Bougainville and the integrity of processes of government and state institutions.<br />
<br />
This is not the type of leadership Papua New Guinea needs today as our<br />
natural resources have grown ten fold.<br />
<br />
We must think of our people in<br />
Hela, Southern Highlands, Western Province, Gulf, Central, Enga, Madang, Morobe, New Ireland and now Sepik.<br />
<br />
Our people need leadership<br />
that will protect their interests with a collective approach towards managing national assets in the national interest.”<br />
<br />
<br />
HON TIMOTHY MASIU MP<br />
Deputy Opposition Leader & Member for South Bougainville<br />
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<br />Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-14286689084397900482019-05-20T02:02:00.001-07:002019-05-20T02:02:27.220-07:00We Sacrificed Our People to Remove Peter O'Neill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I write this with much respect for a good friend and political leader whom I have looked upon and believed in to be the saviour for modern day politics in Papua New Guinea.<br />
<br />
I have known Sam Basil as a very hardworking and down to earth politician who walked the lenght and breadth of Bulolo and its neighbouring districts.<br />
<br />
Mr Basil was a no nonsense leader, he was widely adored and respected by his people. He was a champion and was PNG's favorite son fighting corruption from the Opposition for more than 9 years.<br />
<br />
I got convictions and inspirations from Mr Basil to declare 'friends to all and enemy to one corrupted Peter O'Neill' up till now.<br />
<br />
Basil has sacrificed Bulolo and his people from the Opposition for 9years to fight against PMPO.<br />
<br />
Regardless of where he stands, Basil was wholeheartedly returned to parliament by a massive 20,000 votes margin to his next rival. He will make it again in 2022, but his party members will be facing a stiff challenge.<br />
<br />
In the last two months, my once trusted corruption fighter and political hero has put on a new skin. He has been imseperable from the person he campaigned against during the 2017 National General Elections. <br />
<br />
He was shifted from the Communications ministry to Finance prior to the May 7th parliament session and now being moved to National Planning in light of a possible Vote of No Confidence (VONC) against PM O'Neill.<br />
<br />
Basil when he was the Communications minister decided for the registration of SIM cards to be carried out leading up the 2018 APEC Summit for security reasons. The SIM registration process failed miserably and the deadline was extended until now they are still registering.<br />
<br />
Fake people are still operating on social media, scams and cybercrimes are still ongoing and people still have access to multipla SIM cards.<br />
<br />
Theres is no control of Facebook and other social media sites. Fake news have taken over social media platforms by storm.<br />
<br />
So basically, Mr Basil and his team's effort to end cyberbullying and cybercrime and to control the use of social media by urging users to register their SIM cards did not work out.<br />
<br />
In light of the VONC, Basil was appointed as Finance Minister by O'Neill in a bid to keep Basil and his former PANGU Pati team. He only held that ministry for two weeks.<br />
<br />
Now Basil is being moved to National Planning and Monitoring Ministry. Why cant the government give him a steady ministry to take charge of? Isn't PMPO not trusting him?<br />
<br />
I haven't seen another political leader and government minister being widely criticised apart from the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Sam Basil has truly withstand all criticisms and has grown thick skin through and through over the last two years.<br />
<br />
Today, I know Basil is reading this post and he himself knows the struggle we've been through from the Opposition side to oust Peter O'Neill.<br />
<br />
Sam, you know your conscience is right. You cannot continue to sit next to O'Neill and get criticised. You have to stand up and keep your word.<br />
<br />
#ForABetterPNGSylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-41529830465854527982019-05-19T21:53:00.000-07:002019-05-19T21:54:25.269-07:00AGAROBE: DOING IT THE CENTRAL WAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
CENTRAL Province Governor Robert Agarobe says his people have been cheated and lied upon by the government with no tangible benefits towards improving the livelihood of people in rural communities.<br />
<br />
“We (Central) completely lost the right to have an identity as a province,” says Governor Agarobe when speaking at a rally hosted by Koiari leaders at Lake Sirinumu on Sunday.<br />
<br />
“We lost our ancient fishing and hunting grounds for white men to alter the flow of Laloki River to generate electricity and water supply for Port Moresby city. We have lost almost 90 per cent of land through urbanisation in Port Moresby for national interest as well as interests for corrupt individuals.”<br />
<br />
Governor Agarobe also pointed out that Central’s land boundaries with the National Capital District have been constantly changed to facilitate further encroachment in the likes of the Motukea Port and the Konebada Petroleum Park.<br />
<br />
“The first LNG pipeline and plant on our land is another big time loss. And yet we are not a party to the terms and conditions of the second and third LNG Projects in the pipeline. We have lost a lot and we will continue to lose if nothing drastic is done to change this trend”<br />
<br />
He says the fanfare of the Bautama Central City and the Provincial Hospital are political lies and it’s all about dangling a carrot to master political convenience for other people.<br />
<br />
“Since I was elected into Parliament, I used the mandate of you my people of Central province to restore the identity and destiny of the province. I am looking at what kind of change we will bring to the province in twenty to fifty years from now.”<br />
<br />
In June 2018 Governor Agarobe presented a petition to Parliament for Port Moresby city to come under Central province so that a fair amount of revenue is given back to the host province.<br />
<br />
However, he says the game of sabotaging, denying and suppressing the constitutional mandate of elected leaders is a direct attack on the people that voted them and democracy.<br />
<br />
The Opposition MP says Central province has a strategic direction captured in a white paper policy document and alignments and restructures are progressing at this stage.<br />
<br />
He further stated that sustainability of the policies and plans in government depends entirely on Political Will.<br />
<br />
“For us in Central Province, I find that we will not go anywhere with our grand vision and plans under the current O’Neill government.”<br />
<br />
Governor Agarobe also reaffirms his stance with the Alternate Government for the upcoming Vote of No Confidence.<br />
<br />
“I moved from Government to the Opposition without fear or favour in the best interest of the people of Central province. I will exercise in full the power of you my people of Central to change the O'Neill Government in the coming VONC.”Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-700612634586421152019-05-13T18:52:00.000-07:002019-05-13T18:52:27.301-07:00Adopted from Communist China "PM Wants to Control Social Media"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The term "fake news" was made famous by US President Donald Trump given the manner in which American Media and political establishment ran stories to undermine his political progress in lead up to his election as President.<br />
<br />
The fact is you can't control platforms were information is circulated, attempts to do such undermines the role of democracy and freedom that is enshrined under the constitution of our country.<br />
<br />
PM is quoted on "The National page 3 May 14, 2019" saying "we're lived in peace and harmony for thousands of years without social media"<br />
<br />
Fact is social media platform like Facebook is recent development around 2004. Our tribal history is very clear, we were warring cannibals preying on our enemy tribes as means to have dominance.<br />
<br />
A young person killed in Boroko was a result of undertrained and underresourced police force that continually discharged firearm without any accountability.<br />
<br />
He further apologises for delay in tabling the Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill. Be a leader table it Mr. Prime Minister. You had 8 years to listen to the people, why now you feel is the right time to listen to the People Mr. Prime Minister.<br />
<br />
If you really wanna listen to people of Papua New Guinea than you will start by having faith in our people. Stop relying on foreign advisors who control your cabinet to court house and in public space.<br />
<br />
We know who you are, you are a real neo colonialist preying on our people. It's time for change, we are taking back PNG from your Chinese and Australian friends.Sylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271460105603311211.post-55680117896060377322019-05-13T02:43:00.000-07:002019-05-13T02:58:56.838-07:00VONC:THE ROAD TO MAY 28TH 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Our democracy is such that allows for checks and balance when needed to correct the flaws found within our system of governance and the manner in which elected officials conduct and carry out their responsibilities.<br />
<br />
“Vote of No Confidence” it is a vital tool for above mentioned; Papua New Guinea over years has experienced a significant political stability, almost 8 years in making.<br />
<br />
However, translation of political stability into economic, social stability and progress is totally lacking. <br />
<br />
The level of public debt has increased; you would think increasing level of investment into impact projects would push growth and translate into revenue flow, it’s not the case local SME’s are dying because of increasing level of foreign business venturing into SME’s.<br />
<br />
One cannot differentiate between business structures ownership; so how do we correct these flaws within our system of governance. <br />
<br />
The use of GDP growth to measure progress in Papua New Guinea by current regime is flawed in many fronts, firstly growth is not translating to lifting stand of living among our people, and it’s not translating into basics governance benefits reaching our people. <br />
<br />
We start by changing the political regime; O’Neill/Able Government has increased foreign loans, increased cost of living, disintegrated law and order into volatile society. Example can be found with disgruntled Police Personnel storming National Parliament over APEC Allowance.<br />
<br />
The Executive Arm of our Government, The elected Politician have now turned into Project Managers totally frustrating and dimension levels of administrative governance making it impossible for Governance Benefits to reach the masses.<br />
<br />
So what is the future for Papua New Guinea? It’s not Amazing Port Moresby where foreign nationals are contracted to carry out PR stunts when knowing very well the very basics of infrastructure and society is fractured and broken and does not require propaganda mechanism to change the country.<br />
<br />
The current regime as done quite well employing neo-colonial consultants to develop PR tools with support of their national spin doctors to continuously capitalize on our illiterate populace.<br />
<br />
Stunts like “PNC for PNG” or in other words Prime Minister’s own words “We will look into it” We are working on it” or ongoing blaming the Somare Regime whereby He as part of the regime for almost 10 years. After 8 years the stunts and PR exercise not working. <br />
<br />
Papua New Guinean’s must arise to the opportunity presented by our own very system of governance through the vote of no confidence to call for your members to act in the best interest of our future.<br />
<br />
We cannot allow continues subjection of our future to decisions made in Canberra, Dubai and Beijing. Our future’s decisions must be made in Waigani Parliament.<br />
<br />
It’s time to “Drain Waigani Swamp” Take Back PNGSylvester Gawihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13663075053066020875noreply@blogger.com0