pipia (garbage) our responsibility

Waste management has become an issue in coastal villages these days. When not managed well it becomes a hazard to health and the environment as a whole. As with buai, government has been talking about plastic ban but that has not taken place yet. Pictured is a billboard promoting healthy livelihood to the community which is not adhere to as depicted in the other pictures. Taken at Porebada village, Central Province.

Ela Celebrates Childrens’ Day

The Ela United Church celebrated the Childrens Day on the 16th November 2013. The fun day included various activities from sack race, spoon race to ice cream feed made the fun filled day a memorable one. The activities ended with a little kaikai and a cake to celebrate the occasion. The Ela Congregation currently have service at the Pastors resident in Badili where a temporary hall(Gentle Whisper) has been built due to the construction of the new church in downtown Port Moresby. Currently Rev Raka Aiga is the Minister being posted to the Ela Congregation. Church worship starts from 10am to 12noon every Sunday.

IPPCC Christmas Outing at Taurama 2012

We recently had our Office Picnic at Taurama Beach. Most of the family enjoyed the outing. This was the final function for 2012 to sum up a successful year for the IPPCC.

Sacrifice and commitment pays off

The last fives years was never an easy road to the end. This quiet spoken Buin lad was determine to take up his dream of studying law even though it meant that he had to go on leave without pay. With obstacles and challenges that seems endless. This finally came to an end on December 2012. There to witness his graduation was his wife and daughter. Fidelis Lugabai was admitted to the Bar after successfully completing his 4 years of legal studies at the University of Papua New Guinea. To practice law, as a mandatory requirement, lawyers must do a one year course at Legal Training Institute (LTI) in order to practice in Papua New Guinea. I happened to have met up with him one weekend where we exchanged numbers and so established our contact since we parted our separate ways nearly 14 years ago at Sogeri National High. We lived in the same dorm in year 11 and his cubical was next to mine. I did briefly meet up with him whilst on duty travel four years ago at Buka Airport and that was it until 2011. As he recalls from the photos from National High, being a typical Milne Bay, I was more or less like a primary school student amongst the grown up or as he puts it “baby”. Before he left, I invited him and his family over for dinner and to catch up on the last 14 years. Like everyone, we all have our goals and aspirations and one of his passions is fighting corruption at all levels.)All the best for the future Sergent! (Pictured above- Graduation at LTI Dec 2012, below-Sogeri National High. More pictures click here.

Royals at my door step

The Royal couple, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall drove past the house the other day on their way to a Boera Village in the Central village. It was a privilege to witness this historic visit. The sunny Sunday afternoon gave a pleasant atmosphere of excitement and curiosity to the whole event. The blazing heat didn’t bother the enthuestic crowd that waited patiently as far as Konedobu, Hanuabada, Kanudi, Tatana, Baruni along stretch of road leading to Boera. This is the same road that leads the the multibillion kina LNG project. The Royal couple’s visit marks the Diamond Jubilee celebrated by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They end the PNG tour and will fly to Australia and New Zealand. More pictures click here

FM100 live on the internet

Fm100 is now streaming live on the internet. Just type in the address www.fm100.com.pg to listen. It automatically comes on and works well with a fast internet connection so broadband would be advisable. Any slow connection would drop off. The web page needs updating though but wherever you are in other parts of the world and wanting to listen to Papua New Guinean radio station, this is the site to visit. The recommended web browser is google chrome but also works on others. Your music variety leader fm100

Late Ali Mase's funeral gathering

Late Ali Hebou Mase's funeral was held at his home village of Vabukori on a clear skied Saturday. Village activities were suspended in respect for the passing of Skipper as he is well known by his peers and family at large. click here for more pictures

Bustling town of Alotau

The wharf down in Alotau, Sanderson Bay has been completed and is in use now. Also in use is the newly opened Transit Hotel where islanders come in and overnight whilst selling their market produce. Currently the hotel doesn't charge any fee. Whilst down there there are strong sentiments that the lodge should charge a little fee for the up keeping. This was aired by one of the worker at the hotel. Another feather was the improvement of the town main bus stop. This has been extended and now caters for passengers towards Gurney,East Cape and the North Coast

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

Kambar vying for Chuave seat in 2012 elections

There was a little gathering for family, friends and relatives for Noel’s brother Godwin. He would be contesting the Chuave Open Seat in the Chimbu Province. On Saturday 21st April 2012 a little fundraising was held at the Adventure Park along the Sogeri Road just outside Port Moresby. This will be the first for the Kambar family contest in the national politics. He would be challenging the incumbent Jim Nomane including and scores of other candidates. Pictured here is Noel being the master of ceremony. Click here for more pictures

Hospital appointments

A miserable weekend beginning with the Easter Long Weekend. It started off with Ian’s son Auro who accidentally pieced his neck with a sharp grass knife. He was hospitalized for two days before being discharged.Thanks to my Tambu Greg he was treated immediately without delay.Thanks Oli and Greg for your support.Come the following weekend, its Auro’s baby brother Melki who had to be rushed to the hospital again on Friday night for breathing difficulty due to nasal blockage. They spent the whole night there and was brought back home only to end up at Gerehu’s St Johns clinic. They stayed there for the whole two days again now the next weekend is Kim’s friend from school Sylvia and her mother who had being stabbed in Popondetta. Both were hospitalized and are in a stable condition. This came about due to long land dispute. So for three consecutive weekends has been spent on hospital alone.

Winning Elections workshop

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) International in conjunction with Registry of Political Parties Commission held a two day workshop at the Crowne Plaza from the 26-27 March 2012. This workshop was mostly intended for intending candidates and anyone who wants to know how to win elections. The guest speaker at the event was Dame Carol Kidu who gave an insight of what life in politics is like. She also gave some helpful tips on how she was very successful in politics. The day ended with the Deputy Registrar closing the workshop. There will be similar workshop conducted in Madang, Kokopo and Goroka.

Traffic Woes in Port Moresby

The closure of the Poreporena Highway meant that the traffic congestion is becoming so bad. To avoid it, one must be prepared to be out as early as possible. Recently heavy rains have caused flash floods within the city. Many storm water drains tend to be block as a result of debris and rubbish mostly disposed off by roadside contractors. Hohola and some parts of the city are a no go zone during heavy rains especially for small vehicles as roads often turn into a pool of lake.

Campaign Finance Program

The two day workshop was hailed a success. Jointly staged by the Registry of Political Parties Commission and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, workshop saw NGOs, Political Parties and stakeholders attended the Campaign Finance Program at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby. The workshop was given an insight on how Campaign finance was used to influence the electoral systems. The workshop was an eye opener for most participants and expressed their satisfaction on this topic.Click here for more pictures

T.H.E Party officially recognised

In the presence of their Parliamentary Member who is not a party member until contested under the party banner, Hon Don Polye was officially presented with the Registry’s certificate officially recognizing T.H.E Party. The brief ceremony was witness by Party Executives including the Registrar, Sir Kina Bona his Deputy, Dr Alphonse Gelu and Director-Funding Disclosure, John Bishop.

Landowners demand

For past couple of weeks groups of landowners have been converging outside the Prime Minister’s Office to demand for the MOU money that was agreed upon during a meeting in Kokopo, East New Britain some time ago. Mostly from the highlands region these people are from the LNG affected areas. Pictured above the crowd cordoned the entire street as they waited for the PM’s spokesman to address them.

Ezikiel baby number 4 arrives!

Welcoming a new member to the koukou tribe. Ezikiel's wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy on 27/2/12. This is Ezikiel's fourth child. Ezikiel is a nephew from my wife's family.Pic is Jamie and his aunty posing for the shot after being discharged from hospital in the afternoon.More pic click here

Crazy 1000% vehicle tax..

Government is planning to impose a 1000% tax on imported vehicles especially those that are five years or more. At the moment a new vehicle at major retail outlets are way beyond an ordinary middle income earner’s wages. The current tax regime for vehicles is 110% on any new or use imports. Currently the street of Port Moresby is being flooded with imported used vehicles that are ordered over the internet. This decision will deprive many citizens of affording a vehicle once more.

IPPCC Welcomes Dr Alphonse Gelu

Alphonse Gelu was a Senior Research Fellow with NRI before teaming up with Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC). At one time he was a lecturer in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea. He completed his PhD in the department of political studies at the University of Auckland in 2005.Dr Gelu takes up his role as Deputy Registrar which had been left vacant when Sir Kina Bona was appointed Registar.

Campaign Warning by Electoral Commission of PNG

As the 2012 National General Election dates draws near for Papua New Guinea, there are already media publicity by the PNG Electoral Commission on the print and audio media about awareness on 2012 elections. Here is an example of a warning for intending candidates on early campaigning. That campaigning should not begin until the issuing of writs on the 27 April. It is common knowledge that in practical campaigning for some had already began last year 2011 and is now intensifying unofficially leading up the issuing of writs. Also on the radio is a jingle that’s becoming a familiar tune “Safe and fair elections” that has a modern touch of funky vibes to it.