Ratson Shipbuilding has extended its invitation and tasked me to contact possible clients in PNG and Solomons Islands. Therefore, am now posting face book and eventually will be contacting the shipping, oil/logging and other possible clients soon. Ratson will be your best choice for shipbuilding in Indonesia. We built all types of Landing Craft Tank, Offshore Supply Vessels, Tankers, and Ferry with all modification needed. Now, as the world has known Ratson for its' solidly built vessels, we're still ahead when it comes to competitive - reasonable price that delivers on time and on to the budget. Just inbox me or email surumba@gmail.com for further information. There is a August/September special to dispose Lady Primus for 1million USD its normal price is 1.2m USD.

From a volunteer to full time professional tailor

Located at Ahuia St, Section 9 Lot 52 Gordons, National Capital District is Tual Immess Tailoring which supplies men and women tailored suites, lawyers’ gowns and bibs, school uniforms, graduation gowns and dresses, children, work; special day evening and casual wears. Tual Immess also produces karate uniforms and does alterations and has been operating in the current location for the past six years. The owner is a Seven Day Adventists (SDA) volunteer cum professional tailor puts her faith in God Almighty with whom all things are possible. Her name is Lady Rossica Salika from Madang province. She is a committed member of the SDA church where she does volunteer work. Salika was once looking after about 3,000 women in her church group network doing volunteer work, sharing food, clothes and money to the poor and impoverished around the city. The breakthrough for Lady Salika came when she was offered an AUSAID scholarship to study Fashion and Design in Bendigo Regional TAFE College in Australia. After completing her Certificate IV she continued and graduated in 2002 with a diploma majoring in Clothing and Footwear. She designs clothes, bags and even sandals or shoes but sadly there aren’t any factories here in Papua New Guinea for shoes. When she left for studies she did not have any idea about tailoring, design and even sewing nor any experience at all in doing business after she graduated. Armed with her diploma certificate she resigned from her fulltime paid job with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations. She soon got her tailoring business set up and in 2006 registered Rossal Tual Immes Limited now trading as Tual Immess Tailoring with PNG IPA. She also obtained her first Tax Identification Number (TIN) with Internal Revenue Commission in 2009. Lady Salika then trained others in sewing, grooming and counselling services. She got her car stolen three times during her volunteer work; the grace of the almighty God has guided her and returned her car. Like others, Lady Salika has her own version of struggles and hardships that she encountered when she started her business and the rest is now history. Whilst commenting on the current fashion industry and the dressing code in Papua New Guinean she said, “Pacific is lost in PNG, we have to dress and promote our identity. Meri blouses must be worn with dresses or lap laps not with shorts. Look at other island countries and the way they dress, will tell where they come from.” “I have noticed over the years, most Papua New Guineans have overlooked locally owned and operated tailoring businesses. They want to go to shops owned by expatriates which is good but we must promote our local businesses and the money remains here in the country. The unique identity signifies the importance of what you are and what others think of you,” Lady Salika said. As a judge’s wife she gave an example about the dressing code using that of a bib worn by lawyers, magistrates and judges. “A bib must cover the collar of the shirt and the neck tie when worn, the bib when worn correctly signifies the importance of being a lawyer and he or she must dress neatly before the court where you will gain respect, trust and confidence from your clients during court and even from the magistrate or the judge either on the lower or upper courts,” Lady Salika said. It’s a testimony to her Christian faith that she acknowledges everyday through prayers. Lady Salika usually had lunch time prayer with her workers and others located in the same building and I was invited during a lunch hour when she opened our meeting with a word of prayer. “Always be honest with God and you will be elevated to gain new heights regardless of your back ground or who you are,” she advised.

‘The Insurance Guru’

During her formal employment days she was known as a ‘Guru.’ She has been a mentor to many who needed her help in the insurance industry and a unique problem solver. Let me introduce to you, Ms Florence Galo, ANZIIF Senior Associate CIP (since 2000) who is currently contracted to two Insurance Brokers: Anitua Broking Services and Marsh Ltd that operate under her own brand or trademark, The Insurance Guru. She is a single parent to two (2) children; a daughter, 26 years of age, and a son, 15 years of age. She hails from Parom, a village in Hawain along the West Coast of East Sepik Province. Ms Galo recently retired from a full time employment in the insurance industry, after 28 years. She started work in 1989, as an accounts clerk, with the former NIC (Niugini Insurance Corporation) now known as Pacific MMI Insurance LTD after graduating from the PNG University of Technology, Lae, with a Diploma in Commerce. She had decided that it was time to leave school and earn some money then. It looked like a wrong move back then, but in hindsight, now looking back; it was actually the right move. Ms Galo says she cannot imagine what her life would have been like now as a Certified Accountant. And she would not trade her life experiences in the insurance industry for it. She jokingly said; “even though I was trained to be an accountant, don’t ask me anything about it now, because apart from the basics, I would not have a clue.” Ms Galo moved on to experience all facets of the insurance industry. She was a trainee underwriter with the former MBf Assurance Ltd. A Claims Supervisor with the former PAPA, now the Capital Group. A Corporate Claims Officer with Pacific MMI Insurance Ltd. Team Leader – Claims with TOWER Insurance (PNG) Ltd. She also had a stint as a Broker with Marsh Ltd as a Claims Supervisor. Then a Senior Claims Examiner with AIG PNG Ltd and then Claims Manager with Southern Cross Assurance Ltd. She took a 3 year break after MBf Assurance Ltd when she had her daughter. Then she took a 2 year break after TOWER Insurance (PNG) Ltd. It was her first attempt at retirement, but she was too young and got easily bored. She is now at ease with retirement and from her years of experience; she has now decided to pursue her passion in educating Papua New Guineans about the benefits of insurance. Ms Galo explained that insurance is a life essential and is the security that you can fall back on, when you suffer a loss. Whatever type of loss it is, there is a form of insurance that is available to cater for it. Outlining the benefits of insurance she said, “people suffer a lot of catastrophic loses without basic insurance knowledge of the benefits it can give them. Insurance as a life essential, offers you protection and subsequently ease when you experience a loss. When you own assets, you must insure them.” “If you own a home, and there is a fire that completely destroys it, if you have insurance, you have not lost everything. If you own a business and suffer a loss, and if you have insurance, you can make a claim for everything you have insured like, property, money, damages due to theft or burglary, loss of profits, to name a few. “Insure your workforce, that if there is an accident at work and an employee is injured; medical expenses, income for time off work, disability compensation and even death benefits to his or her dependants are covered under Workers Compensation insurance. Whilst carrying out your business and there is damage to a third-party property, or a person due to your products, or when they are customers on your business premises, public liability and product liability insurance is available. “Sometimes, you might hear on the news that a product has been recalled due to some defects or contamination; that is product liability. Examples of public liability is; if your client comes into your office and slips on a wet floor and suffers some injury or if your vehicle crashes into a person’s yard and damages their fence. “Professionals who provide advice or services that causes a loss to a third party need to be insured for Professional Indemnity. Doctors and Lawyers especially, require this form of insurance. Otherwise other professionals like architects, surveyors, and insurance brokers to name a few, require this insurance as well. “Fidelity Guarantee is available also. This insurance is a form of protection against fraud or misappropriation of funds by your employees. “There is Marine Cargo and Transit cover also. Despite the word ‘marine’, it applies to land, sea and air. It comes into effect when the cargo you send, leaves your place of business and ends when it reaches the destination, or the receiver’s address. “However, there is also Marine Hull insurance. It provides cover for ships, yachts, ferries and other vessels that are used on the water. There are Engineering insurances available too. Contractors All Risk (CAR) is cover provided to a construction project from Greenfield, to the finished product and also from breaking ground to a constructed building or a bridge or a sealed road. It depends on the specifics of the project. “There is also Machinery Breakdown Insurance. It literally means breakdown to the machinery due to a fault or another issue. There is Boiler Explosion Insurance, covers you for Boiler Explosion, Fusion Insurance covers you for fusion to your assets especially electrical; motherboards or switches. “Currently, Port Moresby is experiencing a spate of car-jacking. You would not need to run after, or chase armed men, putting your own life at risk, trying to get your car back, if you have motor vehicle insurance. Let them take it. And whether the motor vehicle is recovered damaged or not recovered at all, if you have insurance on the vehicle, there will be some ease from the insurance company. “Insurance will repair the vehicle if recovered and damaged or provide you with some financial settlement, if the vehicle is not recovered. Some finance to assist you to replace the total loss of the stolen vehicle that was not recovered,” Ms Galo explained. She stated that when she was employed, her conditions of employment included medical cover. But now self-employed, she was careful that she and her children did not get sick, because she did not know that there was medical cover available to anyone, other than from what the employer sponsored. “There is a misconception that premiums can be high. But a misconception it is. Premium is charged, taking into consideration the type of risk you are insuring. Personal insurance rates are different from business rates. “For example, the rate of premium charged for a motor vehicle is different from a rate charged for a home. The rate charged for a home you are living in, is different from the rate charged for a home you are renting out or, the rate charged for a building used for commercial purposes. If you are not sure if the premium is right, feel free to discuss it. Eventually, the correct premium will always be charged,” she said. “I would encourage all those involved in SMEs or any small to large business to get in touch with me and see how I can assist with the services I provide,” Ms Galo said. If she has to give a word of advice to other budding entrepreneurs this is what she had to say; “believe in yourself. Self-doubt will stop you from reaching your goals. And when you have decided what the goal is, act on it. When you delay, you stand a chance of talking yourself out of it…” Whatever type of insurance cover you need, you need to get in touch with Ms Galo to discuss it. There is no business too big or too small. Personal or business, you need insurance for your ease, in the event of a loss. Ms Galo has a vision to set up a shop front, where people can just walk in for a cup of coffee or tea, and ask for help to insure their house or car, or businesses. She doesn’t charge any fees to her customers at all. She only gives advice for her customers to pay their premiums and do necessary arrangements to assist customers on how to get premium funding as well. For now, she operates out of her home and can also be contacted via The Insurance Guru Facebook page or the writer’s email: surumba@gmail.com/noveltycreations3@gmail.com.

Keru Ventured into the Woods

Firewood has been one of the main source of fuel for residents in Port Moresby. It’s also cheap and a substitute for those in the city during black outs, when gas for cooking runs out and even when residents in the city can’t recharge their easy pay power to cook with. When Tolukuma Gold Mine was shut a few years back, Victor Keru was unemployed and has not decided to look for a job elsewhere, he decided to do something else making a living in Port Moresby. He was an underground miner for almost 10 years at the now defunct Tolukuma mine. Fortunately, he bought a block of land at Gerega up Magi Highway while he was still employed by the mine. For now, with the down turn in the economy, Keru has ventured into doing what he does best and that is selling dry fire woods. He has being doing this for the last eight months. “For those who are in the informal sector, buai (betel nut) ban is affecting all the sellers. I decided to sell firewood to make a decent living in the city,” Keru hinted. All of his firewood is chopped from the trees from his block of land at Gerega. Keru is from Kosipe village in Woitape LLG, Goilala district in Central province. He transports the firewood by hiring vehicles to the busy Manu auto port market in Port Moresby. Like the others in other businesses, he too faced stiff competition from competitors, rainy days even gave him hard time to sell and the price ranges from K5 to K10 only. He makes about K50 to K70 everyday depending on the number of customers. On ordinary weekends and special days such as Christmas, New Year, Mother’s day, Easter or graduation days Keru’s earns K200 to K300 per day. “Most of what I earn from selling is to cater for basic needs like food, clothes and car hire. I save K20 to K30 a day in the bank depending on how much I earn and even pay for school fees, and worst still unplanned family commitments and other social gatherings,” Keru explained. “With the upcoming 2018 PNG APEC Summit the National Capital District Commission has warned all firewood sellers to look elsewhere or market their produce out of the main city. My only concern is can the city authority build a bigger better market here or a place where we sellers of firewood can sell,” he commented.

How Digicel Foundation gave rise to a small Building Construction Company

By Michelle Amba

Charlie and Elizabeth Tumun, the owners of Charpez Construction today own business assets close to a million kina. Charpez Construction now employs 40 people and has its head office in Banz, Jiwaka Province. Their story is about perseverance and having the courage and motivation to succeed in what they dreamed of pursuing. When Charlie was terminated from his formal employment as Factory Manager with an Australian Company Gilsenan Melpa in 2011, he never wanted to work for anyone else; he wanted to be his own boss. He says his termination was based on allegation which he had no fault in. He accepted his termination, telling himself that he would one day own a company and never wanted to work for anyone else. That was a year after he had registered Charpez Construction. “I started off with no resources, no vehicles, no workman and no money, I only had one thing I was sure of and that was faith,” said Charlie. Charlie started off doing small things here and there. Because he was a tradesman he used that know how to do things for the small business. He registered the business while working before he was terminated. Our first formal business was in 2010 were we built a Car Shed for the Highlands Regional Labour Department Head, Mr. Thomas Tape. That was when we received our first cheque of K 19, 000. It was through its first client who engaged Charpez as a sub contractor for an Australian Government Aid Funded project in Tsak Valley, Enga Province. That was when the owner met an important business partner who gave us the opportunity to be one of Digicel Foundation’s Contractors. Charlie met Dara Okuk in Tsak Valley in 2010 during the opening of the classroom. She was representing the project financier at the ceremony. Her connection with Jiwaka Province through her childhood and family connection led her to have an interest in this small Jiwaka based Building Construction Company. “Three years after meeting Dara, I received a phone call from her she was with Digicel Foundation as a Senior Project Manageress seeking potential contractors to implement projects. I was then cooking and selling flour balls (scones) at a Kaibar I was renting in Banz,” recalled Charlie. “I would say it was through God’s Grace we were asked to bid for a project. That was our break through; I never imagined Charpez, being recommended for big projects and with a reputable organization like Digicel Foundation, “concluded Mr. Tumun. “Our bid got through and we were contracted by Digicel Foundation to build a classroom in Neibilyer, Western Highlands Province. We were told that if we pass this we would be recommended for future projects. We were graded 100 per cent by Digicel Foundation,” said Charlie. After that, Charpez have never looked back. Mr. Tumun is thanking Digicel Foundation for changing the lives of many unfortunate Papua New Guineans and he is proud to be one of those many that had the opportunity to grow. Digicel Foundation goes to the most remote places in PNG. Some of the most remote places that Charpez has delivered, includes Snow Pass in Bundi, Morobe Province, Biwat in East Sepik Province ,Yellow River West Sepik Province to name a few. Through the Foundation and the contracts it has engaged many village boys as its employees. These young men have never travelled in an airplane, a ship or even a helicopter. Through this fortunate engagement, they have travelled extensively; we have built 32 classrooms, libraries and aid posts. Charpez has built classrooms and libraries in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, East and West New Britain, Enga, East and West Sepik, Simbu Hela, Western Highlands, Morobe and Jiwaka provinces. Charlie concluded, “there are many small to medium enterprises like Charpez in the country but they are competing with giants who already have business influence and political links where contracts can easily be sought. Digicel Foundation is the only business that we are engaged in we see tenders and we do bid but contracts are given to big business that already have millions of kina and resources.” Charpez has now ventured into property, hospitality, hire car and timber milling. The company manufactures furniture for home and schools like desks and tables. It also provides logistics in terms of delivery. The company can be contacted via email: charpez@gmail.com.

Meet the Red Ribbon Lady

By Mathew Romogau Werigi The red ribbon has become an internationally recognized symbol for HIV/AIDS awareness. It is worn by people from all walks of life throughout the year in support of people living with HIV/AIDS. It is also worn to remember those loved ones who had died from the epidemic worldwide. On every calendar year, December 1 has been marked as the day of remembrance where people around the world pin their red ribbons as they commemorate World AIDS Day. Anyone can wear a red ribbon. You don't have to be HIV positive or living with the virus to demonstrate that you have an understanding of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. Wearing a red ribbon is the first step in the fight against HIV and AIDS. It can be worn on any day of the year, but especially on World AIDS Day. Here we find someone who has been doing red ribbons for a living or basically to venture into Small to Medium Enterprises (SME). She is a 37 year old Rose Mathew from a mixed parentage of West Sepik and East New Britain. It’s been over five years now, Ms Mathew grasped the opportunity and has been making and selling the World AIDS Day Red Ribbons. When asked why she ventured into hand weaving and ribbon making, she said; “I witnessed and saw many people dying from HIV/AIDS so I decided to make ribbons and supply them to business houses and certain government departments to buy for their staff to wear during World AIDS day every year. This is part of my contribution to the HIV/AIDS awareness in Papua New Guinea.” She has been supplying the ribbons to most business houses in Port Moresby only through 2050 Solutions, a SME establishment in promoting education, health and healthy living. “I actually started when my husband’s former employer was looking around to purchase ribbons for their staff so I started with the first 100,” Ms Mathew said. Every year she is busy making the ribbons, all hand woven and ready to deliver before 1st of December to her corporate clients. In 2013 2050 Solutions was registered with IPA. Since then she has never turned back. The business provides and distributes the following services: media awareness on health and education, climate change, distribution of mosquito nets, water purifiers/cartridges and others to name a few. The main objective is to work closely and network through public private partnership and to promote health and education awareness through the media to support the Government’s Vision 2050 seven major pillars. They include: • Human Capital Development, Gender, Youth and People Empowerment; • Wealth Creation; • Institutional Development and Service Delivery; • Security and International Relations; • Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; • Spiritual, Cultural and Community Development; and • Strategic Planning, Integration and Control. “This year I have engaged some women and a young man to make more ribbons, our aim is to distribute freely to all primary, vocational and secondary schools in the National Capital District and Hohola area as a pilot project if donor agencies or corporate organisations can fund our project,” concluded Ms Mathew. The team is aiming to produce and deliver 10,000 red ribbons to the schools and also the nearby settlements and main Hohola market before and on December 1st 2018. She will be sending out proposals soon to donor agencies, corporate entities and other stake holders to seek funds to assist achieve her objective. “If funding is approved for this proposal 10 more women in the settlement where I live will be taught how to weave the strings. The aim is to educate young kids on the importance of wearing red ribbons and to educate them of the dangers of HIV/AIDS in a bid to minimise the statics or eradicate HIV/AIDS in the future,” Ms Mathew said. She said if all goes well, she is also looking into having a women’s group formed to help other women get out of societal hardships and create changes in settlements, rural and urban centres in Port Moresby. To place orders for the 2018 World AIDS Day Red Ribbons and for more information, email 2050solutionspng@gmail.com, surumba@gmail.com or call 732 15220 and 757 86831.

AROUND PAPUA NEW GUINEA: JM Ocean Avenue - Alpha Spin

AROUND PAPUA NEW GUINEA: JM Ocean Avenue - Alpha Spin

JM Ocean Avenue - Alpha Spin

AlphaSpin is a powerful holistic wellness tool made in Germany and is infused with Proprietary Spinning Frequency that produces a powerful resonance capable of transferring spinning energy so that a quantum energy field is established. AlphaSpin is used to harmonize harmful effects of Electromagnetic Frequencies Radiations in your surrounding and for other wellness benefits. The environment we are now living in is bombarded daily by Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMFs) and toxic pollutants. EMFs originate from power lines and telecommunications technologies such as cell phones, WiFi, and microwaves. Research and scientific studies have also shown negative health impacts from cell phones and WiFi. By placing the AlphaSpin in the car, at work, home or carrying it with you in transit, creates a quantum energy field that has been known to harmonize harmful effects of EMFs. It has been known to enhance immunity, concentration, and energy levels for optimal performance at home and at work. It has been known to promote calmness, and reduce stress, thus improving an overall sense of well-being. The resonance and vibration of spinning frequencies of the AlphaSpin is transferred through water, light or air. It is believed that the natural resonance of AlphaSpin is similar to that found in many water springs around the world, including Bama, an internationally recognized longevity village in China. AlphaSpin brings Bama to you by optimizing the natural frequency, stimulating vital life energy, and increasing harmony in body and mind. By pouring water through AlphaSpin, the molecular structure will create smaller clusters for easy penetration and absorption. The AlphaSpin fully optimizes the body’s molecular and cellular functions via resonance and the formation of a vortex that results in the expression of a quantum energy field. The quantum energy field exerts its effect in the water content of an organism, reminding the body of its own self-healing capability. In this way the body responds by generating a state of wellness and health that is sustainable. AlphaSpin has been shown to: Create a natural quantum energy field. Harmonize your living environment surrounded by EMFs such as WiFi, cell phone radiations, etc. Generate hexagonal water clusters. Improve absorptions and increase hydrations. Improve micro circulation. Be used as a Reflexology frequency tool to facilitate the flow of energy. Improve plant growth and seed germination. Extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Use in conjunction with a humidifier or air purifier to improve the quality of air. Increase the absorption of face and body creams. Reduce wrinkles by hydrating the skin and activating collagen and elastin. Email me now surumba@gmail.com or visit this site http://myjmoa.com/mathewrwerigi

SUPREME WEALTH ALLIANCE

Supreme Wealth Alliance

SUPREME WEALTH ALLIANCE

Supreme Wealth Alliance Philippines Inc. (SWAPI) is a SEC-registered online business company. A locally registered and legally compliant company — SEC Reg. No. CS201407120 — SWAPI is composed of a multinational team of competent and experienced professionals in various fields of business, technology, and marketing. Overall, it is SWAPI’s goal to sustain a genuine and long lasting online network marketing business that provides real value and a real opportunity to regular individuals anywhere in the world. SWA Ultimate: Perfect Pay Plan System is designed to provide an ideal program by blending high attraction (two of the best pay plans combined), long term viability, affordable one-time cost, and great value (the Supreme Wealth Library)

Embarking on initiatives to improve forestry

Source: The National, Wednesday September 10th, 2014

THE Forest Ministry is embarking on new initiatives to improve the industry including the equal participation of resource owners at the decision making level. “A review of the Forestry Act 1991 and the accompanying regulations to further strengthen the forestry laws and consolidate the various amendments to the legislations to date and to allow for better representation of the forest resource owners on the National Forest Board,” Minister Douglas Tomuriesa said in Parliament last week. “A review of all logging and marketing agreements to ensure that all project developers honour their obligations to the resource owners and the State,” he said. Tomuriesa said he planned to establish an association that was equivalent to the Forest Industry Association to represent the forest resource owners’ interests throughout the country. He added that a mechanism would be created to counter transfer pricing in the industry. “Despite being outlawed by the Forest Act, there is anecdotal evidence that transfer pricing is rife in the forest industry in PNG. We do not know whether we are taxing the industry enough,” he said. “An option open to the Government is to establish a state marketing agency to guard against the practice of transfer pricing in the industry.”

Telling stories of and for Melanesian women: an interview with Amanda Donigi

Telling stories of and for Melanesian women: an interview with Amanda Donigi

M’sia tops investment

Source: The National, Thursday September 4th, 2014 Foreign direct investment by Malaysian companies in Papua New Guinea is said to be one of the biggest compared to investments from other countries. Last year, its total trade in PNG amounted to US$651.7 million (K1.58 billion). The country is rich with agriculture and natural resources products and Malaysia sourced mainly these products from PNG. Information from the Investment Promotion Authority shows investments by Malaysian firms are in all three sectors of the economy. In the primary sector, 69 companies are involved in forestry, 15 in agriculture, six in mining and petroleum and one in fisheries. In the secondary sector, 16 are in business management and consultancy services, 10 in the manufacturing industry. In tertiary sector, 51 are in wholesale and retail businesses, 44 in real estate, 29 in construction work, 12 in transport services and 11 in financing services. According to the Malaysian diplomatic office, its investment in PNG is among the highest in terms of value. Last year, proposed investment recorded at K6.3 billion mainly concentrated in wholesale and retail, financial intermediation, forestry, manufacturing and agriculture. The IPA has certified a total of 650 Malaysian enterprises to conduct business since 1999 with estimated 40,000 jobs created for local at various levels.

Rimbunan Hijau a major investor in Papua New Guinea in logging and other diversified businesses.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF ILLEGAL

Illegal is defined in the Oxford dictionary as not allowed by the law. The Forestry Act (a) 1991 defines timber permit as a timber permit qranted under Section 73 or 75 of the Act. Section 73 (3) states that the effect of a timber permit is to authorize the holder to carry out the operation specified therein in the project area for the term and subject to the conditions specified therein and in accordance with the project statement, five year working plans and annual logging plans. Therefore, the legal logging under Papua New Guinea Forestry Act is when the timber permit holder carry out the operations in compliance of the terms and conditions of the timber Permit. The Non—Government Organization with their green agenda defines illegal logging as: “At its basic, illegal logging occurs when trees we cut, transported, brought or sold in violation of national laws”. Source.www.greenpeace.org.uk The logging operation in Papua New Guinea is very closely monitored by the SGS whom audit all logging operations and the exports thereof. In recent years the definition was widen to include unrealistic green agenda of sustainability, hence tainting all legal logging operations as illegal according to the newly invented sustainability definition. The classic unrealistic sustainability definition reads as follows: A new concept in environmental and human affairs was introduced with Brudtland Declaration of 1987: “Sustainable development is development that “meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Implicit in this often–quoted definition is the idea that the natural environment faces stress and overexploitation and will not be able to indefinitely meet escalating human demands. By itself, the Brundtland definition is insufficient. “How does one define “needs,” as opposed to wants or even excessive luxury? Is a lowering of living standards acceptable? Is barely enough to eat and minimum shelter good enough? What about education and medical care? Does sustainability imply some equity in distribution of goods, or might an increasing gap between rich and poor meet sustainability test (if environmental and population stability are achieved)? Is ecosystem health important for itself, or it sustain humans”. The Brudtland Declaration suggest some answers. “Linking global inequity to environmental degradation, it calls for a decrease in consumption in the wealthy global north, together with development for the impoverished global south. The implicit problem here is that the wealthy are often protected from the environmental costs of lifestyles, while the poor often lack the means to care for their immediate environment”. Source: www.csa.com

TODAY’S CHILDREN TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Children have always held an important place in the culture and traditions of Papua New Guinea. They are the source of group strengths, descent, identity and other kin-related values. They are the future of the tribe and the State, the embodiment of development, security and justice espoused in the country’s Constitution. Children make up almost half of Papua New Guinea’s largely rural population. The population is estimated at 6.2 million; a vast majority of them live in hard to reach areas, with difficulty in accessing services. Despite having great potential, the population remains fragmented and poverty is deepening for the majority of them. According to most recent estimates 40 per cent live in absolute poverty. In the local Oro dialect Tembari means “Drifter or roaming around”, and just outside of Port Moresby at 7 mile ATS Oro settlement is the Tembari Children’s Care Inc. (TCC) a community based organization (CBO) is a day care facility formed to promote and improve the living standards of venerable children and also to educate communities on children’s rights to survival, protection development and participation. To date it has taken more than 200 children – orphans, abandoned and the unfortunate by serving them with two meals a day and providing early child hood education for children from the ATS Oro settlement. Tembari, which provides pre-school, elementary and primary education to its beneficiaries and the other children within community, also conducts a feeding program from Monday to Friday. Most of the children after passing out of the school have attended other primary schools for upper primary education and one each has attended Jubilee and Gerehu Secondary schools. Tembari Children Care was founded by Mrs. Penny Sage-embo in 3rd of March of 2003 as a small Children’s Fellowship Group (CFG) while being a Sunday school teacher of the Anglican Church Sunday School Ministry. She is also a HIV/AIDS Community Educator doing counseling, caring and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The main source of funding and support since its inception comes from corporate entities, foundations, individuals and others. To name a few, Curtain Brothers, Dekenai Construction, RH PNG Group, the Water Company, Malaysian Association of PNG, Australian High Commission, Filipino Association of PNG and the list goes on. The external support and assistance comes by way of donations like food, building materials, water tanks and even cash to fund the daily operations, wages for volunteer staffs and importantly food for the feeding program. According to Hayward Sagembo the Chairman of TCC, they wanted an urgent assistance for a double classroom for Grade three and four, uniforms, fencing and basic stationeries for the running of the school. In addition, they urgently need a mini van for pick up and drop off children from the centre in other schools within the city and daily runs for the office and some protein and a four burner electric stove. “We have not received any form of support from the Government through the Office of Community Development, Member for Port Moresby North East, NCD Education authorities and even the NCD Governor since we started operation in 2008”, according to Hayward. Since ATS Oro settlement will become developed to an urban suburb or need soon there will be a greater demand for a school within that area. So how can we partner with the government to deliver this much needed services to our unfortunate kids in the settlement area?

RH Foundation assists Tembari Children Care again

Lyanne Togiba (r) of RH Foundation presenting the cheque to hayward Sagembo founder of the care centre. RH Foundation Inc. the charity arm of Rimbunan Hijau PNG Group has again stepped to assist the Voluteers of Tembari Children care with a cheque for K3,500.00. This is for Tembari to purchase the much needed materials to complete a 20m x 6m Semi permanent building that will house 3 x classrooms, 1 x office, 1 x store room, 1 x kitchen and a dinning room that can fit up to 100 children. Since the school resumes on the 04th of February it was timely for this assiatnce. Hayward Sagembo, the founder of Tembari children was lost for words when he was called in to collect the cheque and once again thanked Rimbunan Hijau for its continous support all these years.

OIL PALM BRINGS DEVELOPEMNT AND PROSPERITY TO SIGITU/MUKUS

Palm Oil since its inception in Papua New Guinea 45 years ago since 1967, has played a major role in the development and progress of many individuals, families, rural communities and has contributed significantly to the growth of the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and as estimated in the next 5 to 10 years it will also contribute to the K8 Billion palm oil export value as a big player in the Agri-Industry business sector and is the second largest employer to the government of PNG with the potential to alleviate national rural poverty. The Sigitu/Mukus palm oil project development is another of Rimbunan Hijau’s biggest investments in the country. The project currently employs 1000 staff and at the peak of the operation the staff strength will see about 3300 and the company has planned to upgrade the health and education facilities in the region. The palm oil project involves only about 38, 000 hectares and it is a 30 year cycle project with various multi-million processing factories being built. This legitimate commercial activity will contribute significantly to the livelihood of the ordinary Papua New Guineans from the said area that have been neglected for so many years and will sustainably contribute to the national revenue when it is fully operational. The majority of the landowners are in support of the project and few NGO driven groups are engaging in destructive activities in direct contravention of the wishes of the majority of landowners for development. This Sigitu/Mukus Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) palm oil project namely Ralopal concession issue was previously taken up by an NGO Group by way of litigation and the matter was conclusively decided by the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea in favor of the majority of landowners and Gilford Limited Palm Oil Project. As of October 2013 for the Drina and Rano camps in the project area 210km was constructed as the main road of which 70km was graveled, 330km as field roads for access of plantation works. In addition a total of 1,723 log culverts were constructed on the main roads and the plantation field roads and 765 units of log bridges on the main roads and plantation field roads. All the seedlings were ordered from DAMI Research Center, New Britain palm Oil in Kimbe which cost a total of USD 1,0505,500 with the 1st order: USD 0.70 per seed x 1,215,000 seeds = USD 850,500.00 and 2nd order: USD 0.80 per seed x 250,000 seeds = USD 200,000.00 which is equivalent K 2,997,146.93. Total purchased seeds: 1,465,000 seeds, Total seedlings in nursery: 1,068,681 seedlings, Total planted area: 3,800 ha (372,966 oil palm stands).

It is estimated that over the life of the total investment will more that K700 million including 2 oil palm processing facilities with a capacity of 180 tones per hour which will be completed by mid-2016. The project will contribute more than K28 million to the local communities in premiums and royalties and will also inject more than K33 million per year directly into the economy of East New Britain which it currently provides internship for 16 students from the area at its plantation division. The land owners will benefit through land rental of which more that K9 million in the first 15 years and K 13 million in the second 15 years with log royalties and premiums more than K30 million in the first 15 years. In addition to the benefits the Government benefits will be log export duty of more than K30 million in the first 15 years and corporate tax is estimated to be more than K671 million in the first 15 years and more than k1.1 billion the next 15 years. Gilford Limited has joint the PNG malaria Initiative IPIMI) to eradicate malaria in its project area and set up a private public partnership with East New Britain Provincial Government to help eradicate malaria in the province as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Deficit budget

By JEFFREY ELAPA THE Government will hand down a deficit budget for 2014 focused on economic growth and developing infrastructure for the 2015 Pacific Games, official sources say. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the deficit budget would be between 5% and 6% of Gross Domestic Product. It may raise the national debt level to around 35% of GDP. He corrected a television news story that said the country was expected to pass a budget deficit of 35% of GDP. In a text message, O’Neill said: “The TV report is wrong. The total deficit is not going to be around 35% (of GDP). We expect a deficit of around 5-6% of the total GDP (US$17.430 billion)”. Finance Minister James Marape said a minimal deficit to grow the economy was healthy. He said to build infrastructure such as roads, bridges and the 2015 Pacific Games infrastructure growth “is good for the nation”. He said the budget would not pass the 35% debt-to-GDP ratio. He said it would be a manageable deficit budget “that is good to grow the economy”. Treasurer Don Polye, right, who will table the 2014 national budget in parliament on Tuesday week, had confirmed it would be a deficit budget such as the 2013 one “but will be a manageable fiscal deficit”. He said it would grow the economy and continue to be a fiscal budget with a very respectful fiscal limit, with a manageable debt. The PNG economic briefing from the World Bank group in the country reported that the country was expected to reach a budget deficit that would raise debt to around 35% of GDP by 2014. This is compared to the gross public debt near 25% of GDP in 2012 (not including contingent and off -balance sheet liabilities, estimated at a further 15% to 20% of GDP). The 2013 budget deficit of 7.2% was one of the highest since 1990. It was 9.5% deficit in 2009, during the global economic crisis. The good news is that the World Bank report said in 2015, the government expected a 26% increase in nominal GDP (as the PNG LNG production starts) will return the debt-to-GDP ratio to below 30% of GDP. Source: The National, Monday November 11th, 2013

History of Rabaul Queen

Source: The National, Thursday August 22nd, 2013 THE mv Rabaul Queen ended 30 years of maritime service when it capsized off the Finschhafen coast, Morobe, on Feb 2 last year. The sinking of this Japanese-built vessel saw more than 160 lives lost, making it the worst in sea disaster in PNG history. The following is a brief history of the vessel until its sinking. Dec 1982: Launched as Ieshima at the Kawamoto Higashino-cho shipyard, Japan. Late 1998: Rabaul Shipping Ltd buys the Ieshima. March 5, 1999: Vessel renamed mv Rabaul Queen, issued with a PNG survey certification (and allowed to carry 295 passengers). It begins passenger services, operating initially between Rabaul and Kavieng. Its route is extended to include Kimbe and Lae. May 21, 2008: mv Rabaul Queen issued with a PNG Survey Certificate (valid until March 23, 2012). Jan 30, 2012 (3pm): The mv Rabaul Queen departs Buka wharf, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, for an overnight trip to Rabaul. Jan 31, 2012 6am-7am: The mv Rabaul Queen arrives in Rabaul. All passengers disembark and new tickets are bought for the Kimbe-Lae leg, including continuing passengers. The ship takes on fuel and water. 6.15pm: Passengers boarded and mv Rabaul Queen leaves Rabaul for overnight trip to Kimbe. Feb 1, 2012 9.15am: The mv Rabaul Queen arrived in Kimbe. 11am: Passengers board mv Rabaul Queen for its overnight trip to Lae. Reports indicate 360 passengers board. Also on board were 13 crew members, two canteen boys and the master of Solomon Queen. 12.47pm: mv Rabaul Queen departed Kimbe wharf, allegedly “packed and overloaded”. 4pm: Reaching Cape Campbell (Eastern end of Willaumez Peninsula), mv Rabaul Queen meets prevailing strong north-westerly winds and rough seas. Rounding Cape Hollmann and heading towards Cape Gloucester, rough conditions increase as rain fall. Passengers on the starboard side of the upper and open promenade decks hit by the spray from the sea and many move to the port side and inside accommodation (resulting in more overcrowding and the vessel lean to one side at no more than 5 degrees). Rough seas and strong winds continue. Feb 2, 2012 2.20am: Reaching Cape Gloucester, mv Rabaul Queen alters course for Nessup Channel (southern end of Dampier Strait). 3.30am: Chief mate calls master to navigate the boat through Siassi Islands and into Vitiaz Strait. After leaving Umboi Island, increase prevailing north-westerly wind (20-30 knots) and rough seas (to 30m). Master disengages auto-pilot and takes over the steering control. Prevailing near gale force continued to hit mv Rabaul Queen’s starboard quarters, rolling the ship and taking in water in the upper deck. List to port (leaning) continues. 5.30am: Chief mate leaves the bridge to go below to check on passengers, who are shouting “one more, one more” as the ship rides the waves. Attempts to balance the ship fails and mv Rabaul Queen continued to lean to one side. 5.45am: Morobe coastline becomes visible. 6.15am: Large wave hits the vessel on its starboard quarter. Stern pushes to port and the vessel heels over heavily to port. Master loses steering control and the ship’s heads back to port. Second wave hits starboard side, and the port side become submerged. Water starts flooding the accommodation area. Third waves hits the exposed hull and the ship capsizes. No mayday signal broadcast. Most survivors escaped 10 minutes before mv Rabaul Queen sinks. Fuel and bilge oil begin floating. Ship’s first 25-man life rafts, a few life jackets and buoyant floating devices surface. Some survivors swim and board life rafts, others are helped on board or cling to floating life jackets and floating devices. 9.40am: First ship, MOL Summer, arrive at the scene and rescued 116 survivors. Coordinate and call in other ships to the search and rescue operation. Total of 246 survivors are plucked from the sea by five ships (13 aircraft and 15 ships were involved in search and rescue). The Cap Scott rescued nine people, MSC Carole 53, Violet 39 and Zhong He 29. Feb 3, 2012 Passengers transfer from all rescuing ships to Lae harbour tugboat Victory and transported ashore.