First Home Buyers benefit from Budget change

In the handing down of the 2011 budget, if you're a first time home buyer this would be a relief to you.Generally speaking, when an employer subsidises an employee’s housing, the employee is required to pay tax on the benefit. The rate of tax payable depends on the value of the house. However, under current tax law, if your employer provides the subsidy under an approved low cost housing scheme and the value of the house is under a certain amount, you are exempt from paying tax on the benefit. You are also exempt if the amount advanced by your employer for a first home is repayable and the advances are debited against certain employee benefits, including superannuation (as is the case with the Housing Advance). From 1 January this year the Citizen Employee First Home Buyer Scheme replaces the former Low Cost Housing Scheme and the upper value of the property has been increased to K400,000, Significantly higher than the previous K75,000

Open back excitement

Jeremiah and Kristal enjoying the open back ride all the way to Koukou over the weekend.

Dentistry department overwhelmed with patients

The dentistry department at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Taurama campus is overwhelmed with patients as young as two to adults every day. Patients queue up as early as 7am with lines 5 to 6 meters long. Though the wait was a bit longer this is common in all public facilities. Over the years there have been corporate assistances with evidence of signs and plaque depicting a donation or sponsor from each corporate entity. Children are free while the adults are charged a reasonable fee depending on the services provided. The medical team comprises of students gaining experience for a career ahead. Wandering around the campus, you will notice a bit of history in the buildings dating back as early as the sixties and seventies. Pic by CL mbNokia

School aged beggar in POM

As I drive past one of the busiest traffic lights (holiday Inn) in the city, a site that is becoming an all too common is of a boy sitting on the side of a traffic light begging for money. If I can recall, I believe it started with a mentally retarded fellow who normally sits waiting for vehicles passing to drop money for him. At some stages he just sleeps on the island. It may not seemed to be a great deal but what this fellows do not realize that they place themselves in a very risky situation as anytime a vehicle can loose control or a drunkard can bump into them. Coming back to the situation about the boy, this is becoming frequent as the other traffic light adjacent to the Sir John Guise Stadium is also used by boys sitting in the hot scorching sun begging. Thankfully the city of Port Moresby is nicked named the roundabout capital, not a lot of chances for these fellows to get some loose change if they were sitting at a roundabout.

The new Ela United Church rising from the rubbles

Work is underway and progressively going well.The United Church building which used to house the Assembly office has been completely renovated with tenants already moving in and using the office space.The old church which used to be on site was moved to Hanuabada village or the mission station for the United Church. In the mean time Sunday Service is being conducted at the pastors residence at Kaugere next to Badili Police Station.Picture is the foundation under construction.

The passing of Late Ricky Yopo Jnr

We attended a funeral for the late Ricky Yopo Jnr. He is the son of Richard Yopo who tragically died on Sunday 30th January 2011 in freak accident. He was 13 years of age. It was a moving occasion at the CAF Church as many who knew him expressed a very reliable, obedient and caring person he was amongst his friends and those closer to him. Amongst the mourners who attended were relatives, friends, colleges and many other people connected in some way or the other towards the Yopo family. Richard’s colleges from ANZ also attended.The body will be flown to Wabag and laid to rest in Irelya village, Wabag District on Monday 7th February 2011. Ricky is the eldest of seven siblings.