2010 technology upgrade for Registry of Political Parties Commission

We finally received our much awaited server from Datec. The IBM x3400 server is a SBS 2008 Server that comes with the usual backup media and utilities. The delivery of this equipment will compliment what has been established in the office. So far over the past 12 months other upgrades include:

 Development of an IPPCC Website
 Alesco Payroll system onsite processing
 LAN Setup
 Resources and file sharing as well as printer sharing facilities
 Heavy duty copier/fax/printer/scanner

The next 12 months (2011) would see other major upgrades:
 Upgrade of PABX
 Replacement of old pcs
 Fast Internet connectivity (broadband)
 Email connectivity (Gov net)

Other planned activity involves the development of an intranet site and party registry system. These are all subject to timing and workload.

Poverty a reality in Papua New Guinea

Whilst I write about the good things that are happening in our big city, I must be honest that with developments there are also associated problems that comes along with it. It is disturbing to see children begging on the streets of Port Moresby and other major centers but yes this is increasingly becoming a norm in our own country. With the migration of people into urban areas from the rural settings, this has placed added pressure on the services and infrastructure that is currently being neglected. Many critics will argue that poverty is not as prevalent in our country but it can come in many forms whether it is lack of services such as health, education and the breakdown of law and order. This trend that was once thought to be confined in urban areas is now creeping into the rural settings. Today there is no such thing as a free ride. Everything that is done under the sun is for a form of payment whether big or small. The world of materialism and capitalism is being imitated by what we read in the papers and see on TV sets. Whilst PNG is a signatory to many international conventions, one such important document is the Millennium Development Goal (MDG). We have less than five years to meet our target and at the pace we’re going, it is a massive challenge for our government

Nonu School Celebrates Papua New Guinea’s 35th Independence in style

This year saw Papua New Guinea turn 35 years of self governance since gaining independence from Australia. Schools throughout the country celebrated this occassion. Nonu was no exception as it had its students perform traditional dances. Jeremiah was part of a dance group that sang and danced New Ireland. Students were grouped into four regions New Guinea Islands, Southern, Momase and the Highlands Region.

Happy 35th Anniversary Papua New Guinea!

Mortuary Feast held for Late Mrs Elizabeth Anere

Dr David Anere had a mortuary feast over the weekend to mark the passing of his wife. Late Mrs Elizabeth Anere passed away early this year. The feast was witnessed by both Dr’s relatives and Late Mrs Anere’s relatives.Staff from Registry of Political Parties Commission also witness the occassion. As a token of appreciation some food including a pig was presented to his late wife’s relatives. On behalf of the family son Joelson and daughter Margaret echoed sentiments of how much their mother was as a role model in their life. They thanked their late mother’s relatives for giving her to them. Dr's brother officially handed over the food to the Hula family.

Koukou 2

Weekend visit to Koukou. This time Bubu Nellie's pics are included. Find as well are pictures of the surounding yard and landscape.

Sir Kina Bona appoints working committee to review the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates

On Wednesday the 8th September,2010 the Registrar of the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission, Sir Kina Bona brought a number of representatives from the National Research Institute, the Center for Democratic Institutions at the Australian National University, Canberra and staff of the Commission to organize a special Policy Workshop to be attended by selected experts and consultants both from within the country and abroad to find solutions to the OLIPPAC situation in the light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

Sir Kina said that “We must take time and careful consideration to do this properly and not rush for a quick fix solution which might not be in the interests of the Nation. Political stability and the integrity of politicians and political parties are of paramount importance and therefore we need to ensure that how we go about achieving that goal is proper and legally correct as required by the Constitution. We must research and critique the options or proposals available to us. We need to consult the views of all sectors of the society which is not an easy task. Political parties will no doubt be major participants in this exercise.”

In the interim, a Working Committee comprising of Dr. Ray Anere, Dr. Musawe Sinebare, Dr. Alphonse Gelu from the National Research Institute, Dr. Grant Harrison from the Center of Democratic Institutions, Australian National University, Dr. Orovu Sepoe, Dr. David Anere and Peter Wotomu from the Registry. Other members of the Working Committee have been identified but have yet to confirm their participation. This Committee will begin the task of planning and organizing the Special Policy Workshop to be followed by a National Forum/Dialogue immediately after the meeting.

The task of the Policy Workshop will be to engage in a comprehensive political and institutional review and to brainstorm the issues at hand and to come up with tangible and meaningful solutions. Some of the crucial questions facing OLIPPAC are: What should we do next, now that the teeth of the guard dog have been removed? Do we legislate again and if so what and how do we do that without breaching the Constitutional rights of Members of Parliament?

The Policy Workshop which is tentatively scheduled for the 21st – 23rd February, 2011will be followed by a National Dialogue/Forum the aim of which is to seek public opinion for an alternative solution.

Registry staff gets first prize for 2010

The staging of the PNG Association of Administrative Professionals (PNGAAP) was held on the 24th- 27th of August 2010 in Kokopo, East New Britain Province. In attendance were various administrative professionals from various government departments including NGOs from across Papua New Guinea. Amongst the participants were the Registry staffs (Janet Mallian, Henao Lister, Lorraine Wotomu, Marie Fraghi and Susan John) from the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC). A lot of important topics were discussed at the forum including roles of globalization, admin professionals’ roles, challenges and changing roles of admin professionals in national development. There were a number of invited speakers including Secretary of Works, Mr Joel Luma, Ms Petrolina Amon from the National Disaster Office and Ms Emma Kaul, President of Women in Maritime. The conference also witnessed the launch of the East New Britain Chapter of the PNGAAP.

Every year awards are presented for the Outstanding Administrative Professionals and this year saw Marie Fraghi an Executive Assistant within the Funding and Disclosure Division of IPPCC bagged the first prize in the junior category. The first runner up went to the Gas Project Office while the second runner up went to Office of Rural Development. In the senior category the first placing went to Department of Personnel Management followed by the first runner up from Transport Department and Walo Maguli from the Department of Prime Minister taking the second runner up.

Catching up with old childhood friends

Caught up with my childhood friends from Gaire village in the Central Province while attending a workshop at March Girls Resort. Siru the youngest is married to the March Girls Resort owner. I accidentally bumped into whilst looking for bottled water at the resort’s canteen.Siru’s brother and sister (Iamo and Nou )who coincidentally turned up to see him was a bonus for me. Meeting all three brought a lot of memories back to the cool misty mountains of Sogeri. Their dad and mine worked together at Elcom now known as PNG Power. Their Dad retrenched first before dad in 2008

NONU CELEBRATES FATHERS DAY 2010

Nonu celebrated a Father’s Day Assembly on Friday 03rd September 2010. Each cluster performed an item. Jeremiah’s group presented the dance by Sakira’s 2010 Soccer World cup dance WakaWaka much to the crowd’s delight. The school also had cakes to mark this occasion.