Sir Kina Bona's Speech-OLIPACC workshop

Honourable Powes Parkop, governor of National Capital District, academics from the Australian National University,Woloongong University, participants from the UNWomen, Suva,Fiji, Electoral Commissioner and colleagues from Vanuatu, government officials, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman, good morning and welcome to Papua New Guinea.

You know, standing here looking down at all your wise and learned faces, I feel like a novice opening batsman going out to face the might of lilie and thompson in their heyday.i must admit it is quite daunting. but today I am very happy to see you all here because today we begin a journey that will shape the political landscape of Papua New Guinea. therefore, I ask of you to be forthright, candid and sincere in your discussions. there are no rights and wrongs in this workshop – but there are suggestions to help us focus our minds in charting out the parameters for political leadership and good governance in Papua New Guinea and the region as a whole.

I am not going to pretend that we have answers to resolve our political woes in this country. what is needed is quality leadership that is honest, transparent and accountable to the people of this nation. political events in this country over the last few decades have shown otherwise, hence forcing people to cryout foul to the leadership, and demeaning the office of the highest political post in this nation. i ask you, my fellow countrymen and women:

where do we go from here? and how do we correct the situation? do we legislate to control political behaviour and activity? just exactly what is the answer after provisions of olippac were declared unconstitutional by the supreme court?

We have gathered here, men and women of enormous talent, magnitude, depth of knowledge and wisdom to enlighten, share and debate ideas of how to move olippac forward in the 21st century. as Registrar, I now challenge this forum of eminent persons, help us to help this nation find a lasting solution that could stand the test of time irrespective of which government is in power, olippac must remain a rock, navigating the political landscape of Papua New Guinea.

I wish you all a constructive discussion and healthy debate on issues of significant importance to Papua New Guinea. the outcome of this workshop, the Gaire Accord, will serve as a template to the Kokopo Communique in July of this year.

In conclusion,let me take this opportunity to thank the Australian
government, the Australian national university and the center for democratic institutions (CDI), for their equitable participation in funding and providing highly qualified technical people to assist in the preparation of this workshop in particular, i would like to sincerely thank mr Grant Harrison from the centre for Democratic Institutions,Canberra and Dr. David Anere of IPPCC for their untiring support and efforts in navigating this entire workshop preparations and moving onto the Kokopo conference. without these two men our efforts would have been fruitless. let us give them an applause.

I now invite, his excellency, the Governor of NCD, Hon. Powes Parkop to open the workshop. ladies let us welcome governor Parkop. good morning and have a blessed day.

Sir Kina Bona KBE
Registrar

ALP International workshop

The ALP International workshop conducted a one day workshop at IPPCC conference room. The workshop focused on leadership and what it is to become a leader. The workshop ended on a high note with participants enriched with the topics being presented. Participants mostly included political parties’ executives, NGOs, UN Women, Bridge trainers Association as well as IPPCC staff.

Twitter twitter twitter

Just got onto twitter. Its amazing. Yeah yeah.. call me late bus but hey its now or never.Presidents, PMs, Premiers, Governors and the list goes on are using this tech.
Using my unsophisticated cheap nokia mobile phone, I have been twitting for a couple of days now. My twitter is @cloudpng if you want to follow. If you want more information check the twitter page or google it.

Happy twitting

Eighthy six and still going strong

Bubu Nelly Sariman nee Solien celebrated her 86th birthday on the 19 of April 2011. Kim and her aunties visited her in the evening with a cake. During the day Pricilla and Kim visited her. Happy 86th Birthday Bubu! Still going strong..

Policy Workshop on OLLIPPAC

The successful completion of a two day workshop in regards to OLLIPPAC(Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates) concluded on a very positive note. The two day workshop aimed at finding a way forward for the OLLIPPAC law that rendered parts of it unconstitutional in 2010 by the high courts.Participants at the workshops mostly comprised of academics from our NRI, CDI, University of Wollongong, Australia National Univeristy as well as observers from Vanuatu, Solomon Island and Pacific Forum Secretariat.The workshop was opened by the Governor of NCD Hon Powes Parkop. This workshop will ultimately lead to the Conference at Kokopo in July this year.

Port Moresby looking green

Some pics of Port Moresby. The unusual wet weather at this time of the year has given the city a little greenish look.
Pix by C.Labeli

Failed Project

This a failed project that was abandoned as reported by one of the daily paper. The project managers/developers originally of Asian origins where supposed to build a five star casino and hotel in the center of a prime location in Port Moresby. The project in December 2010.

Gabagaba road in poor condition

We paid a visit to a village down the Magi Highway to prepare for an upcoming workshop. As with many services throughout the country, the deterioration in services to many rural communities has completely put a strain on many lives. The drive towards Gabagaba village from the junction which would take normally 10 minutes on a good conditioned road took nearly 20 to half an hour. This is a very common scenario in all sectors including health, education and the list goes on and on. We boast about record budget handed down year after year but nothing is to show forth in terms of basic services. The mechanism in service delivery (public services) has surely collapse or is hanging by a margin. (Pictured above is a big crater in the middle of the village)