Sex enhancement products illegal

Some of the confiscated illegal products

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The office of censorship in collaboration with PNG Customs are responsible in getting rid of sexual enhancement products which are illegal in Papua New Guinea, this was made known during a workshop at March Girls at Central Province.

another illegal sex enhancement product

 Sexual enhancement products in the form of tablets and other objects such as dildos and vibrators which increase sexual pleasure and drive are deemed illegal because of the moral and Christian values of the nation; this was cleared by the chief censor Mr Steven Mala.

“We are claiming to be a Christian country and we have moral standards and values and that prevents us from accepting sexual enhancement products under our law, if it’s a sexual enhancement product than its illegal, for medical products deemed to be for sexual enhancement we have no clear direction because it is in the form of tablets and other medical supplements, to prove that we have to go through the pharmaceutical board, because they are the board that approves medical products”

Mr Mala said that there was a partnership also with PNG Customs to crack down such illegal products which are shipped in as well carried across the border.

Robert Kawapuro who is the Director for National Response Coordination with PNG customs says they are part of a partnership that ensures products like magazines, books, multiple DVD’s and sexual enhancement products don’t enter the country.

“We have agreement with the office of censorship wherein we step in to confiscate products which are illegal and are under the mandate of the censorship office, but we do not classify the item, that is the work of the censorship office.” Kawapuro said

Multiple DVDs and the classifications 

Mr. Mala also highlighted the fact that these days because of internet technology people were doing online shopping and didn’t know the goods they were buying was illegal to enter the country.

“With online shopping available people buy products without proper knowledge of the side effects of these products, some products confiscated at the post office and at outlets such as DHL especially medical product, some have no labels and some have instructions in foreign language, and that is risky”.  Mr Mala said

Internet filtering system needs support from Papua New Guinea Government

Robroy Chicki principal adviser for mass media who is spearheading the way forward for internet filtering

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The Papua New Guinea office of censorship has embarked on an internet filtering system which will help counter the access of indecent material that is being accessed by the public.

The filtering system is aimed at minimizing the flow of illicit materials on-line including pornography & online child-sex exploitation, monitoring other cybercrimes including: internet money laundering, drug trafficking and human trafficking. As well as identifying scams.

Robroy Chicki who is the principal adviser for mass media and the lead researcher in establishing the internet filtering system of the country said  it was an idea that was visionary by the office  but  lacked the funding and support by the government also the reality of lack of man power was an issue as well.

“We do not have the capacity and the resources to run the internet filtering system  it needs high political attention we have  a minimal budget and only 25 personnel  compared to 7.5 million  Papua New Guineans”.

“The funding is really low we are campaigning for the government to see the importance but the impact they see is not that important, to find the right system there is a lot to do, we also have to do consulting and get feedback from the public there is room for opinion”.Mr Chicki said

Chief Censor Mr Steven Mala said that it was obvious that accessing indecent material from the internet was evident within society and it was undeniable

“We based the idea of the internet filtering system on the fact that the accessibility of Pornography is here and we cannot deny that”.

“Everybody is thinking we are trying to suppress their rights we are not and the media must understand this and disseminate the right information to the public, this is about minimizing indecent material”.

“There is a huge volume of indecent material being accessed from all the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) if we had access on the volume being accessed you would see, ISPs are making money from this and they can’t give me that information it is evident in communities in cities and towns and to me that is enough evidence to have a filtering system”. Mr Mala said

Mala added that he was in Vanuatu on a forum on Child online protection and talked with the person who designed New Zealand’s internet filtering system and got a positive response.

“When I was in Vanuatu attending a forum on child online protection I spoke personally to the person who did the filtering system in New Zealand and he said it can be done.”  “I did it for New Zealand and I can do it for PNG”.  Mala said

Partnership in censorship

Workshop participants during the workshop hosted by the Office of Censorship has at March Girls conference room

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The Papua New Guinea Office of Censorship has called on mass media to take ownership of censoring their content before being disseminated to the public.

The office which leads in classifying and censoring content for the country has embarked on a different approach in form of a new bill “The Classification of Films, publication and online services bill” will ease the burden of censoring content to PNGs population of more than 7 million.

Chief Censor Mr Steven Mala

Chief Censor Mr Steven Mala said this during a workshop at March Girls Resort in Central Province which featured  the media as a key stake holder in awareness.

“In the new bill that we are proposing, we want each industrial group to take some responsibility we don’t want it to look like we are punishing everyone when we ourselves are doing the hard work. Like in the 80’s the censoring powers were given to the Television and Newspaper but it’s the radio that we want some level of decency”.

“At the same time we don’t want that privilege to be abused again and for us to take it away, that’s why under the new bill we want the companies to have responsibility on whatever they choose to share with the public its more or less a partnership under the new act, it will be effective once we have done the code of conduct and we will all be required to work under the codes of conduct”. Mr Mala said

He added that the office was not going to trying to apply strict censorship because it would cause delay in broadcasting and printing and that would cause a lot of commotion

Media participants at the workshop taking a stroll at March Girls resort

“We cannot apply strict censorship because if we did that your news and other programs on television and radio along with newspaper content will be delayed for two to three days because we will have to screen them, the new way will allow some leeway to have the level of decency in the content”. Mr Mala said

He added that service providers like Internet Service Providers (ISP), radio and television broadcasting must have some level of responsibility and they must exercise it.

Students not self-censoring

By FIDELIS SUKINA

A research has shown the lack of awareness by Papua New Guinea school students on censoring of internet content especially music and movies.

Four schools were part of a pilot research done by the PNG office of censorship the schools Port Moresby National High school Port Moresby, Sogeri National High School Central Province, Kerevat National High School and Malabanga High school East New Britain.

 Out of 322 students issued questioners 6 7% of the students had phones that accessed the internet, 65% of the 322 participants were downloading movies and music from the internet and a further 84% of the participants share files on platforms such as Bluetooth and other social websites and sharing platforms such as Wattsapp and facebook.

Cyril Kruak the research officer of the Officer of censorship who conducted the research said that the students were quite low in self-censoring despite knowing the classification rating system in place.

The data produced saw an awareness of classifying different content but the lack of practice by the students to use that to provide a level of decency to their practices.

“69% of the   participants were aware of the classification rating systems “General Exhibition (G)” “Parental Guidance Recommended (PGR)”  “Mature Audience (MA)” and “Restricted Exhibition (R)” but   75% of them do not use the rating systems in place when surfing the internet and downloading music and video content that shows that they do not use self-censoring”. Mr Kruak said

Kruak said the statistics were from questioners that the students were given and took them home and were collected the next day.

He added that the statistics will be improved later on when a much wider research is done to better collect data for awareness roll out

“We conducted the research as a pilot project and have shelved it by order of the chief censor and it is open to criticism, currently the Office is reviewing and redesigning the questionnaire for implementation in all PNG schools throughout the country”.

“Apart from visiting schools to conduct research & awareness, conducting of other research and awareness with youths in LLG Wards, Districts, Provincial and National Levels will also take place”. Mr Kruak said

PNG Air the new and improved Airline for Papua New Guinea

Paul Abbot and passengers disembark at Gurney Airport Miline Bay Papua New Guinea

By FIDELIS SUKINA

It’s not often you would say “I was in three different provinces in one day”, flying to three locations from morning till afternoon, if you are a pilot or flight attendant it would be understood, but for me a journalist to travel in the new ATR 72-600 aircraft, of PNG Air from 7am to 5:25pm return was a great experience.

I had the chance to travel to a few airports over five days with the new aircraft and it was a great feeling, but that’s another story this story is about the inaugural flight.

Airlines PNG rebranded itself to PNG Air, launching the new name and a new ATR aircraft on the 4th of November 2015.

The new ATR started operations on Monday 16thof November to ease the burden of Christmas travel, ports which the aircraft will go to include Gurney, Rabaul, Mt Hagen, Daru, Kiunga, Goroka, Hoskins, Madang and Wewak  to  name a few.

The New ATR 72-600 at Nazab Airport Mor

In front of stake holders the business community and representatives of the National Government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill launched the aircraft and the name change at the Defense Force Air Transport Wing Hanger at the Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby.

After seeing the aircraft and touring it I was looking forward to the history making flight of PNG Air P2 ATR.

The inaugural flight was on the next day to Morobe Province where senior management of obe ProvincePNG Air a few staff and media personnel travelled to Nazab airport.

As the plane landed on the Nazab tarmac clapping and cheers followed the historical moment, you could see the grin and smiles by the passengers and for the airline management a sigh of relief after two years of planning this great milestone by PNG Air, smooth landing after a smooth flight.

As brief as it was, it was a huge millstone a singsing group was there swaying in welcome and with a drenching wash down by the Airport Fire Service fitting as there was water restrictions in Port Moresby where the traditional wash down was given the red light.

I could not believe that I was one of the lucky persons to walk down a new plane on its maiden flight in its new home the land of rugged mountains thousands of cultures and heavily dependent on air transport  “Papua New Guinea”.

Traditional Dancers welcoming guests to Lae Airport 

 As the singsing group danced and the crowds gathered outside the airport, I was pulsating in adrenaline taking as much pictures as I could of the plane and the atmosphere that was still radiating on a high, beating the ever scorching heat of dry Papua New Guinea.

That really complimented the smell of the aircraft new and fresh straight from Toulouse assembled and still smelling like heaven on wings.

A draped tail with the PNG Air logo a design that culminates a collection of 18 modern redefined works of art from Papua New Guinea showing faces and the scenery of our great nation captured on the tail of the aircraft a sign  of modern day PNG  and the future moving forward  for the Airline.

“That painting on the tail took them three times longer to put it on, and it is as new as it gets no second hand stuff” said PNG Air chief commercial officer Paul Abbot

“This aircraft costs $20millionUS and that seat you are sitting on is half a million so don’t break it” Paul said as he smiled at me

PNG Air is looking to get 12 ATR Aircrafts in PNG by 2020 to phase out the Dash 8 fleet that is servicing the ports of Papua New Guinea and Paul kept the good news flying in.

“This new ATR aircraft takes us to 15 in the fleet every time a new ATR comes in we will sell off or retire one of the Dash 8s, our goal is to have a dozen or more of these aircrafts to have a completely new fleet, and yes all the new aircrafts will be assembled, painted and flown to PNG all new nothing second hand”

 “One more is due in December another in March, another in June and by this time next year there will be five, they are all on lease we negotiated a price with the ATR company and found another company to finance it so they finance it and we lease them off them, that allows us to speed up the introduction of this aircraft” Paul said 

Paul was more than excited to fly us by some of the positives of the ATR even stressing on the fact that it was as new as the birth of PNG Air.

“After the plane was assembled and finished painted, we did two test flights in Toulouse (France where the plane was assembled) that was over two days and then they handed over the keys and we flew it straight down here it took four days and on Tuesday lunch time it arrived in Port Moresby and Wednesday we launched it and we flew on Thursday this is brand new as new as it gets”. He added with a smile of excitement

The plane was chosen for its low cost but high performance ratio, something which technology is improving, and with only two choices of propeller aircrafts ATR checked in with all of PNG Airs requirements soaring over its nearest rival the Q400 Bombardier Dash 8.

PNG Air chief commercial officer Paul Abbot
Talking to a college at Daru Airport Western Province

“There are only two aircraft in this style the ATR and Q400 that have 72 seats, we went with this one because of fuel operating costs, flexibility and safety it’s got slim design seats with more leg room and its lighter so we can carry more freight and passengers  so it’s safe and durable as well and  more importantly it can go to all ports, Q400 is hard on runways, It won’t go to all the runways we operate, so that puts the ATR ahead of the Q 400 and the Fokker70 by Air Niugini that are limited to some ports in the country”.

“It is better on short runways and on unpaved ports, like in Lihir for example where there is gravel, so it is very much the best choice”. Paul said

It was a welcome for PNG and in fact for the grassroots with tickets remaining the same and a lot cheaper as Paul mentioned whilst we were still high up in the clouds somewhere in PNG.

“Our ticket sales are 10% less than Air Niugini and the aircraft has low operating costs same as the current Dash 8 fleet we have, we are just increasing the seats while the tickets remain the same price”. Paul said

What a day for the People of Papua New Guinea with cheaper seats and travel to be fast and efficient It will bring PNG Air and its shareholders much delight after sticking with their plans and believing in their decisions of putting rural PNG and its  people as a priority.

Papua New Guinea taking lead in reducing carbon emissions

Resident Coordinator for the United Nations Roy Trivedy

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Papua New Guinea is leading in measures to control climate change and bringing economic benefit to local communities.

This was revealed in a 2 day workshop held early this month for the National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) Lessons learned workshop in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea.

Resident Coordinator for the United Nations Roy Trivedy said it was a landmark important workshop, because  Papua New Guinea had become the first country under the UN-REED+  program to establish a benefits sharing for local communities and stake holders in terms of them protecting their forests.

He added that with global carbon markets carbon trade benefits will flow down to the communities and that was a first globally.

“Assuming Global carbon markets work and your benefits start to flow and how to distribute those benefits between different communities and stake holders this has been pioneered by Papua New Guinea with the REDD+ program and other countries are watching and if we can make it in Papua New Guinea it can work in other places in the world”.

“This is a game changer for global financing for development if we can make it happen here in PNG and if we can scale it up it will start to change the global financing for development in many other countries as well”. Trivedy said

He also added on by saying that we have pioneered other ways to help the REED+ program setting the pace in the global community.

“we have the satellite land monitoring system and Forestry monitoring system this has not been done in other countries, but Papua New Guinea is doing them, Papua New Guinea is one of the leading countries in the world that is trialing these  systems to see if they work”. Trivedy said

The two-day workshop was amid to take stock of the status of REDD+ readiness in PNG and reflect on the activities undertaken by all stakeholders working on REDD+ in the country.

 Lessons learned will be identified and fed into next steps that the country will take towards REDD+ implementation.

To support the effective national implementation of REDD+ for PNG, it is important to learn lessons from the past four years of REDD+ readiness activities. This includes assessing the activities and achievements to date, including capacity building, tools developed and support delivered to existing policies and measures.

New Airline for Papua New Guinea

The New PNG Air ATR 72-600 aircraft at Nazab Airport in Lae Morobe Province Papua New Guinea

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Airlines PNG has successfully rebranded and is now called PNG Air, the change happened on Thursday at the PNG Defense Force Air Transport Wing at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby.

The event saw PNGs Prime Minister Peter O’Neill cutting the ribbon on the airlines new ATR 72-600 aircraft, which is sure to boost the confidence and reach for the airline.

The night was marked with celebration, a fashion show by the cabin crew and pilots, and a tour into the new aircraft by everyone present.

The new Aircraft after its Inaugural flight to Morobe Province 

“It has been a long road for Airlines PNG, we fondly remember this airline from Miline Bay Airlines (MBA) to Airlines PNG and tonight we are here to witness the rebranding to PNG Air”.

“PNG Air is an asset and has served most of our rural communities to help them engage meaningfully with the rest of the country; with this new plane they will replace the famous Dash 8 aircrafts”. O’Neill said

CEO of PNG Air Muralee Siva said the decision to upgrade the fleet and rebrand the Airline was a task 2 years in the making.

“We have been preparing for this event for the last two years, since the decisions were made to upgrade the airline’s fleet”.

“Rebranding of the airline has helped us shape our vision of where we needed to be and what we needed to change to get there, in particular with the fact that we are truly PNG owned with majority shares by National Superannuation Fund (NASFUND) and Mineral Resource Development Corporation (MRDC) it has helped us reinforce our commitment to PNG as reflective of the design elements we have chosen after a lot of input by staff and people across the country”.

A traditional Dancing Group welcoming the plane at Nazab Airport

“PNG Air chose the ATR 72-600 because it is the most modern turboprop aircraft for regional operations in PNG’s rugged conditions.  The ATR is a proven success, coming from the world’s leading manufacturer in the 50 to 70 seat turboprop market” Muralee Siva said

The airline will have 3 of these aircraft operating by the end of March 2016, 5 by the end of 2016 and 7 by the end of 2017.

Autonomous Region of Bougainville referendum to be a joint effort

The chairman of the Referendum, Weapons disposal, and Peace and unification committee Joseph Watawi

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Working within constitutional framework provisions of the National Government and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Government (ABG) will help Bougainville’s vote for referendum.

This came from the chairman of the Referendum, Weapons disposal, and Peace and unification committee Joseph Watawi.

The committee which was formed this year after the ABG elections seeks to create awareness on the referendum issue and inform Bougainvillian’s on the issue.

Watawi who is the member for Selau in in the ABG government came with his committee members  to Port Moresby to meet with the parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs chaired by Southern highlands regional member William Powi, and had the opportunity to speak with the media at the Bougainville affairs office in Port Moresby.

Watawi said that it was the first time for both committees to meet and it was more of an ice breaker, an introduction into what both committees were working on.

“The first meeting was more of an ice breaker and we will be talking to the parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs as part of the ABG parliament on the preparations on the road to referendum”.

Watawi added that it was a huge task but both governments working together within guidelines would help the progress".

“Visiting the four corners of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville collecting views and opinions of the Bougainville population and planning the awareness on how people perceive the referendum, that’s the most important task and working together with the National Government in terms of the implementation of the Bougainville peace agreement in accordance with the constitutional frame work which give effect on the Bougainville peace agreement”.Watawi said

He added on further that there are provisions in place and both committees will be working with in that perimeter. 

“ the constitutional frame work for example Part 14 of the National Constitution particularly the organic law on autonomy and referendum and also in conjunction with the Bougainville constitution are basically the parameters that set the task of the committee and the terms of reference  in which the committee should be operating  we should be guided by the Bougainville constitution the Bougainville peace agreement and part 14 of the national constitution and the organic law on peace building and autonomy and referendum we cannot go outside of the perimeters set within the  constitutional frame work basically that’s the task of the committee”.Watawi said

Referendum for Bougainville poses a lot of questions

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The referendum issue poses a lot of questions for Bougainvillian’s but it will satisfy most of the population.

Those were the words of the Referendum, Weapons disposal, and Peace and unification committee Member Marcellin Kokia who is the representative of women in central Bougainville in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

She was part of the ABG’s committee that was here to meet the PNG parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs last week in Port Moresby.

She said referendum was a sensitive issue for some that had gone through in the civil war in Bougainville.

“The issue of referendum is a sensitive issue and is frightening for some who went through what happened in the past”. Kokia said

She added that so many questions were present in the minds of Bougainvillian’s at this moment   towards the vote that looms, and with less than five years to go those questions keep lingering.

“One of the questions is, what kind of questions will be put on the paper before the vote takes place another question is what will happen if the vote does not come out in a way that we expect, more votes to say no than yes what an comes in who is there to ensure there is peace and no fights”. Kokia said

She said that one of the ways to combat the questions was an idea from the parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs chaired by Southern highlands regional member William Powi.

“One of the ideas that was suggested by the parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs, was that they are willing to come to Bougainville, to hear it and see for themselves what the Bougainvillian’s want whether they are for referendum or not, to  see the components of weapons disposal they want to see it for themselves “.

“To me that is, the start of reconciliation it is a kind of healing process for them to go back to Bougainville, it will bring a lot of reactions towards them when they come and see the people”.

“Bougainvillian’s are very happy with referendum because it gives meaning to their lives it helps them in some ways to satisfy what they went through also satisfying their want for the future”. Kokia said

Teenagers may make a difference for Bougainville

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Children as young as 15 might have a chance to vote for referendum in the Autonomous Bougainville Government when the date is set.

This was made known by the chairman of the Referendum, Weapons disposal, and Peace and unification committee Joseph Watawi.

He said this during a media briefing when the committee was here in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea to meet with the PNG Parliamentary committee on Bougainville affairs this month.

“During the voting we are assuming that only children over the age of 18 will be voting but it will be a matter of consultation with the relevant authorities whether we should lower the age down to 15”.

“Young students should accept the fact that it is not any other ordinary vote it is a vote that will determine Bougainville’s future and its population”.Watawi said

Watawi added that School aged children were part of the process and will be given the opportunity, to understand the role of referendum and what it means to be an independent nation.

 “The vote for referendum is a democratic process and we will make sure students look at the pros and cons and we will tell them what it is to be an independent nation and get them to make informed choices”.Watawi  said

The exact date for the vote of referendum will be decided by the National Government and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Government (ABG) and this was further iterated Watawi

“The time and the date will be agreed upon by the two governments, from our end the president of the ABG has signaled 2019 but the exact date and month is to be agreed on”.

“The road ahead is not a smooth road it is a difficult road, a lot of things with in the Bougainville Peace Agreement and Part 14 of the National constitution needs to be addressed, and the ABG cannot go its own way from the National Government because of the peace agreement”.Watawi  said

He added that there were outstanding issues faced by Bougainville and both governments needed to work together.

“We have outstanding issues which both governments have to work together to achieve like when does Bougainville reach physical self-reliance, when do we achieve this weapons disposal , and other issues  like law and order, this are critical bench marks, it’s got to be done with both governments because of the joint creation when we developed and established the Bougainville peace agreement assisting each other in moving forward to achieving our benchmarks  is not an easy road we are also pressed against  time  and we need to identifying necessary practical steps to face these issues”. Watawi said

Delegates enjoy park visit

Members of the delegation taking photos in the stands during the feeding of the crocodile

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Papua New Guinea show cased to the delegation of the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry, a glimpse of its flora and fauna on Thursday during a visit to the Adventure Park at 14mile outside of Port Moresby city.

It was a welcome break and a chance to see native species from Papua New Guinea, despite the dry weather the park was still well kept and lived up to its name giving the dignitaries an adventure

The excited ministers and departmental heads graced the walk after a hefty three day meet on issues of Forestry and the visit to the park was the last program on the agenda,

They walked around the facility and took photos of the flora and fauna and witnessed the feeding of a crocodile by the park staff.

Earlier in the meeting on Tuesday Forestry Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, told the delegates of the rich history of Papua New Guinea and the immense biodiversity that is part of Papua New Guineas forests.

“80% of the total land mass of 46 million hectors  in Papua New Guinea is covered by vast  areas of forest  which is also very rich in biodiversity, but due  to limited time available to us we cannot take  you to see some other parts of our beautiful  country”. Tomuriesa said

But he did explain why the city was dry “Port Moresby is the capital city of our country and it is currently with the rest of the nation under the effects of the El Nino induced prolonged dry season making the city look rather dry and brown.” Tomuriesa said, but he surely made up for it with the visit to the adventure park.

Papua New Guinea joined APEC in 1993 and is part of 20 other member economies which make up the 21 members the APEC  meeting hosted by PNG is the first one since they joined, the country will be hosting the big one  in 2018 the APEC leaders meeting.

APEC Forest Countries reaffirm support.

The delegation of the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry which was held from Tuesday the 27^th to Thursday the 29^th  in October 2015 has reaffirmed support for previous meetings.

Within the three day meeting the Ministers and heads of departments for forestry in APEC economies discussed among others the continued support for past declarations.

Issued discussed include, supporting sustainable forest management; forest conservation and forest rehabilitation climate change and private public dialogue on mechanisms.

In the final ministerial statement presented on Thursday by Chairman of the meet, Papua New Guineas Forestry Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, he gave some insight into how APEC countries will be going about in a regional approach combating the issues.

“We encourage APEC economies to share information and best practices through Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet), and other bilateral and multilateral collaborations to support sustainable forest management, including the promotion of forest cooperation and policy dialogues within or among APEC economies”. Tomurieas said

For Papua New Guinea Tomurieas said that we needed to have better sustainable forest management, adding that meetings with Malaysia, China and Russia highlighted the important issue of planting more trees.

“During our bilateral meetings Russians invited us to go and see the module they have in Russia where young children are trained in sustainable forestry, it is important that our children at a young age learn how to manage our forests”. Tomurieas said

One of the main agenda’s illegal logging in APEC countries saw leaders recalling on past APEC meeting’s to further strengthen their stand.

“We recognize the 2012 Vladivostok APEC Leaders’ Declaration, in which leaders are committed to strengthen efforts to combat illegal trade in timber and other forest products; to implement measures to ensure sustainable forest ecosystems management; and to facilitate sustainable, open, and fair trade of non-timber forest products”.

“Enhance cooperation among APEC economies through the Expert Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) to combat illegal logging and associated trade, promote trade in legally harvested forest products, and build capacity, building on EGILAT’s development of the Common understanding of the Scope of Illegal Logging and Associated Trade and the Timber Legality Guidance Template”. Tomurieas said

A lot to be learned from APEC

Delegates f the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry at Port Moresby's Adventure Park taking photos of a staff member feeding the crocodile

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neil sees great potential for APEC meetings that will benefit the country.

During his opening speech of the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, O’Neill gave his support of the APEC dialogues that can bolster growth in the nation.

“The APEC region account for half of the world’s trade and Papua New Guinea looks to increasing economic engagement in our region. As the Premier forum for advancing trade and investment in our region, APEC is important for Papua New Guinea”.O’Neil said

He added that questions were always asked about the benefits of hosting and being part of APEC he said APEC is a forum where ministers, delegates and technical experts can negotiate issues that affect all economies. Then when common positions evolve and consensus is reached – this can be endorsed by the highest political leaders of our economies to ensure action takes place.

“Each year when I attend the APEC Leaders’ meeting, in different APEC economies, I hear the same question asked. What do the people of each economy gain from being a part of and hosting APEC?  While many people focus on the Leaders’ Meeting when they talk about APEC –there is a lot more involved”.O’Neil said

He further stated that APEC gave opportunities for countries in their collaborated efforts during dialogue.

“There is a great deal that we all gain across many areas through APEC In education, we gain access to better learning systems and teaching techniques that we can adapt to local conditions and use in our schools”.

“In the area of information technologies, APEC projects and research helps us to facilitate better access to telecommunications and the Internet. We are working towards ensuring that every man, woman and child will at least have village-based access to the Internet in the coming years”.

“Through APEC engagement we access new policy and technical processes that help us to cut red tape and improve supply chains for small business”.

“Participation in APEC also benefits our grassroots people by creating opportunities to feed into the broader economy as it expands”.O’Neil said

He said that come 2018 when PNG will host the APEC meeting people will see through the media the nation of Papua New Guinea.

“Papua New Guinea will continue to enhance our engagement with APEC.  When we host APEC in 2018 more than 10,000 visitors will come to our country through the year – and millions will see Papua New Guinea through the media around the world”.O’Neil said

Ialibu to Kagua road to get facelift

Covec Manger of Tendering Department Sheldon Ding signing the contract papers at Government House

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The Ialibu to Kagua road in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea will see maintenance thanks to the contract signing that took place at the Government House.

The contract signing between the state and Chinese company Covec (China) Limited was at the value of K80, 891, 515. 10, including GST and will be jointly funded by the State and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

It will be for the improvement works and long term performance based maintenance for the 31.8km road from Ialibu to Kagua in the Southern Highlands province.

Secretary of the Department of Works David Wereh who was there to witness the signing said the Ialibu to Kagua road in the Southern Highlands province is part of ADB funded project up in the Highlands region.

“This is part of the ongoing ADB funded project up in the Highlands region, for the highlands regional core road network upgrading and development program”. Wereh said

He added that the company Covec (China) Limited was worthy of the work after meeting all necessary requirements.

“Covec is doing other major projects in the Highlands and have simultaneously been running two major projects (Mendi kandep and Liagam Pogera) and have completed within time so we have confidence in them”.

“They have met all the guidelines of the ADB procument system as well as ours and have qualified for all of the three contracts”. 

He also said that local contractors will also be used and that will be arranged by the main contractor.

The Improvement Works, including provisional sum for contingencies, cost K72, 821, 460. 00 while K8, 070, 055. 10 will be for the Long Term Performance Based Maintenance Contract for a period of five (5) years following the Improvement Works.

The ADB will contribute K50, 975, 022.00 as loan under the ADB Loans PNG Highlands Regional Road Improvement Investment Program (HRRIIP) while the national Government’s component is K21, 846, 438. 00. The Long Term Performance Based Maintenance will be financed by the National Road Authority at K8, 070, 055.10.

Work will be due to commence before the end of the year.