Caritas host 17th open day

The Caritas Technical School on the 27th May 2012 held their 17th open day. In this event, parents, guardians, friends and other technical schools also witness this occasion. There were plenty of events including cooking, sewing, demonstrations of what technical skills that the students are learning at Caritas. Representatives from various organisation including technical and vocational schools also witness the event. click here for more pictures

Rural road condition in the heart of PNG's capital

No this is not Menayama Road in the Morobe Province or North Coast Road in Madang but in fact the heart of Papua New Guinea’s Capital, Waigani. As I walked towards the Government Printing Office (GPO), one couldn’t help but noticed that the road that runs from the Waigani Offices back towards North Waigani has deteriorated so badly the one could mistake this picture for a road in rural Papua New Guinea. Notice the background dust. This is due to the fact that the Bitumen has all gone leaving a bear dirt road starting from the Telikom Rumana Office all the way to the National Development Bank. The dust is a health hazard for offices nearby such as the GPO, Community Development, Telikom, Commission of Enquiry, Office of Rural Development, Registry of Political Parties Commission and National Economic Fiscal Commission. The vendors or informal sector nearby selling their goods don’t mind but overtime this may lead to respiratory health issues if the road is not improved. On the eve of elections, Road infrastructure is one major agenda for many candidates vying for a seat in the 2012 National General Elections.

National Museum and Art Gallery Celebrates International Museum Day

Whilst election and political fever is high at this time, in the background a little but signification event took place to mark an important day worldwide. “International Museum Day” as it is known took place in the quiet backdrops of the Parliament House in Waigani on Friday 18 May 2012. The National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) celebrated this occasion with a launch of its new website (www.museumpng.gov.pg). Over the years NMAG has been mismanaged and has come to a point where it merely functioned. The NMAG is governed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Head of State as Trustees of the people of Papua New Guinea to own and govern the NMAG on their behalf. The current Board is made up of Julius Violaris as President, Andrew Abel as Deputy President and Trustees Peter Loko, Nora Vagi Brash and Dr Michael Mel. Maria Kopkop served as Deputy President for the last three years but has opted not to serve on the current board but is a valuable member. All the Trustees are determined to get the Museum back to an operating standard as it was in the years after independence.

PNGEC's awareness intensifies

As the country embraces itself for the National General Elections 2012, The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission has been busy putting out adverts on print, radio and TV outlets for voter awareness and education in regards to elections and election details. One on of many posters being published on the print media on the eve of the election.This one I like because it depicts the consequences of choosing a good and bad leader.

Henao attends Admin Course in Manila

Henao Lister, an Executive Secretary with the Registry of Political Parties Commission recently attended a short course in Manila hosted by the Integrated Development Services firm. The course was aimed at upgrading skills for admin professionals to better serve their office. This was a follow up from the first session in Port Moresby at the Lamana Hotel conference room early March 2012. In the two weeks she was attached to Commission on Election Office in Manila. Altogether there were 4 participants who went along this trip. Ms Lister admits that this was an eye opener as it was her first trip overseas and one that she will remember for a long time to come.

IPPCC Celebrates Mothers Day

Whilst Mother’s Day was celebrated on the 13 of May 2012, the IPPCC Staff pre celebrated the occasion on the 11 May 2012 before the weekend. The luncheon was to show our hard working mothers that their effort was not only appreciated at home but also in the office.

Newly formed Parties officially recognised

The newly formed United Resources Assembly (URA) was given its official certification on the 8th May 2012 by the Registry of Political Parties Commission. There to witness the occasion were IPPCC officials and Party founder, Hon Anderson Aigiru. Mr Aigiru formed this party after he left the United Resource Party to form URA.Other Parties also present to receive their certificates were Kindom First Party, League for Democracy Party and Papua New Guinea Destiny Party. These are the last Political Parties to be certified before they go for the 2012 National General Elections.

2012 Corruption Walk

This year's Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption will see the Registry of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC) take part in it. The event will see in Boreboa Primary School take part in along IPPCC. The walk is on the 27th of May 2012. Don't miss out. See you there!

Passing of late Rose Mary Mission

I met mother Rose Mary during our time at the then Business Training Institute here in Port Moresby in the late 90s. She was doing her computing course at that time. 90% of the class was made up of school leavers whilst the rest were in the likes of Rose Mary, Iwi, Carrie who were the elderly group who were upgrading their skills. Though a soft spoken person, her actions spoke volumes as she was a role model for upcoming junior officers in the public service. She joined the Office of Rural Development in 2010 after 27 years with the Department of Defense just when I also joined the Registry of Political Parties Commission at Kumul Haus, Waigani. As I can recall, she would sometimes walk into my office for a chat that always comes with buais. We talk about our school mates, government business and the future. She is survived with her only child and daughter. As we would later know through the eulogy by her daughter, she died one day before her late husband’s passing. Born on the 10th March 1960 – Died on 7th May 2012. After her funeral at St Joseph Catholic Church, her body was later flown to her village in the East New Britain Province the next day. To a dear friend, may your soul rest in Peace.