PM Thanks Namah for Goodwill

Posted on Post Courier

Prime Minister James Marape has thanked Opposition leader, Belden Namah, for being an advocate for “taking back Tari first”.
“Tari, like other districts in Hela, Southern Highlands, Enga, Gulf and Western provinces, have received little or no support from national governments since the extraction of their oil, gas, copper and gold resources started in 1989,” Mr Marape said.
“Tari district is no exception; for a district that is in close proximity to the Hides gas fields, Mt Kare and Porgera gold fields, Kutubu and Moran oil fields, it is incomprehensible that consecutive national governments over the last 30 years have delivered no major services to Tari, Hela – and other resource areas, for that matter.
“What you see today in Tari and Hela is a result of neglect by the government to give resource owners their due.
“No new schools, no new hospitals, no provincial hospitals, no sealed major highways (from Mendi into Tari and the project areas), no increase in police manpower from just under 60 police, ceasing of correctional services, no improved judicial services, no electricity, no banks,” he said.
“The service lights in Tari are some of the work I did in the district, with help from provincial government, hence, I appreciate Mr Namah’s concerns for Tari.
“He highlights the need for PNG to see that key resource districts still lack development.”
Mr Marape said the lawlessness in Hela is a result of the absence of functional education, law and justice sectors, which has led to an uneducated youth population, who are resorting to crime, especially gun-related murders.
He said the government will work to address this and look at better development-sharing formulas instead of focusing on in few areas of PNG – as in past instances.
“But while I agree with Mr Namah’s call that I need to “take back Tari first”, may I remind him that Tari is not the whole of PNG; I have to look after Tari within the context of equal national wealth-sharing so every part of the country is progressive,” Mr Marape said.
“Most parts of our country have been left out due to uneven distribution of key national impact projects and the government is now charting a development pathway that embraces all parts of PNG instead of a few select urban areas.”

Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/pm-thanks-namah-for-goodwill/?fbclid=IwAR1CFfnu7a1RYQOz8iFXHjfp0Xmp5Hf2BhiFspQVll1Vu1-2i3cRNGOlKCI

PM: Safe to invest

Posted on The National

PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, has assured investors that the Government is pro-investment and pro-business and will protect the nation’s reputation as a safe investment destination.
He was responding to his predecessor and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill who said last week that the shutting down of the Ramu nickel and cobalt mine in Madang was “bad for investment”.
“It is greatly irresponsible of the former prime minister to paint a negative image with smear motive, when responsible agencies of State are doing their job to ensure that the mine operation is assessed for its safety compliance after the spill,” Marape said.
“I will be the last prime minister to compromise the safety of our people and environment. It is prudent that reviews are undertaken so that the mine is safe from structural and systematic defects.”
Marape said negotiations teams led by resource ministers had been set up for key resources projects such as in Pogera, Wafi Golpu and the Pynyang LNG.
He expects that in December, “the form and shape of those discussions should emerge”.
He said the Papua LNG that O’Neill oversaw “is now progressing with Parliament amending laws congruent to the Gas Agreement.”
“And I am informed that Total is mobilising,” Marape said.
“This all happened after Petroleum Minister (Kerenga) Kua was able to pick additional winners which the agreement (engineered by O’Neill) overlooked.
“We have been engaged with the industries as well as landowners and provincial governments. The country must know that we have not been doing nothing.”
He said investment partners must know the laws and comply with them.
“We are restoring a broken down system of government which the former PM weakened in the eight years he led the country. No prime minister must become the lead project negotiator as it was the case on Papua LNG.
“The country is bigger than the PM and I believe in the power of the system of government filtering project proposals. Many heads discuss our national interest instead of one person in a bar or a private boardroom somewhere.
“And we want to progress the projects at the earliest but on terms that respect our laws and the future we want to take our country into as far as project agreements and resource harvesting are concerned,” Marape said.


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-safe-to-invest/

Mine ‘not completely shut’

Posted on The National

THE management of a mine forced to close last week by the Government for not complying with rules has assured stakeholders it is not completely shut down.
Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd, the multi-million kina nickel and cobalt developer in Madang, said in a statement it was “closed indefinitely to comply with safety matters” but not completely shut down and should be back in operation soon.
The company confirmed that the Mine’s Inspectorate with the Mineral Resources Authority had issued two orders for remedial measures following a slurry spillage on August 24, 2019 and safety issues concerning a contractor.
“On Friday October 18, 2019, MRA issued an instruction for an indefinite shutdown of E143 Neutralisation Tank at Basamuk Refinery, which causes all operation to stop because of its critical importance,” the company statement said.
“Most remedial works have been completed successfully from the remedial measures but MRA is not satisfied with the remedial work done on the critical part of the Basamuk Refinery Operation, E143 Neutralisation Tank.
“The slurry that comes from Kurumbukari mine must go through this tank. And once shut down for remedial work, it inevitably affects our operation. This is the critical area.”
The company said it would work with the MRA and other statutory bodies to ensure all requirements were met to avoid the recurrence of similar safety issues.
“We have committed our time, efforts and resources in ensuring that we comply with all the remedies within the given time. It is normal that we may not have met all MRA’s requirements so we will work closely with MRA to get these done,” Ramu NiCo said. Operation at the Kurumbukari Mine is unaffected and other plants at Basamuk are in operation except for the E143 Neutralisation Tank.


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/mine-not-completely-shut/

Betel nut vendors allegedly shot, injured in police pursuit

Posted on The National

POLICE allegedly shot and injured three betel nut businessmen in a car at the 9 Mile Puma service station on Friday.
Thirteen policemen from Central allegedly drove into the station to arrest the four men inside a 10-seater vehicle at 10pm.
Lawrence Tengen told The National: “I quickly drove off because we feared the police will harass us and seize our money without any good explanation.
“They chased and started shooting at us.
“We managed to escape but bullet pellets hit my head while I was driving and my brother, Joshua Pius was injured in his right hand.”
Provincial police commander Chief Supt Johnenes Yapi said he was not informed of the incident and “I will ask my officers about it”.
“I will give a full detail of the case when the investigation report is ready,” he added.
Tenge said it was their usual routine to be in the area waiting for PMV from Gulf to be escorted to the 8-Mile Gerehu betel nut wholesale market.
“Betelnut sellers and producers have this business relationship on selling betel nuts in Port Moresby,” he added.
Both the injured were admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital. Another victim of alleged police abuse, Thomas Pape, said he was also beaten up by the same officers when he drove into the service station.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/betel-nut-vendors-allegedly-shot-injured-in-police-pursuit/

O’Neill’s stay order extended

By TREVOR WAHUNE - The National

A STAY order on a warrant of arrest for former prime minister Peter O’Neill, pictured, has been extended because the State is yet to file affidavits in support of its submission to have the warrant executed.
The stay order was granted on Monday on Tuesday Oct 15 and the case adjourned to last Friday.
Justice Nicholas Miviri on Friday extended the order after Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa failed to provide evidence to support his submission that O’Neill’s application to stay the arrest was an abuse of process.
Tanuvasa told Justice Miviri that O’Neill did not apply to the district court to stay the warrant because “before leave for judicial review was granted there was no interim injunctions to be granted before this court”.
He also submitted that the application for interim injunctions on O’Neill’s arrest was prematurely brought to court because it was filed as a civil proceeding although the matter was criminal in nature.
Tanuvasa also argued that the interim stay orders were not sought in O’Neill’s statement.
“There were only restraining orders. The plaintiff must plea the remedy they seek. Their orders were not pleaded in the first place,” he said.
But Tanuvasa did not cite relevant laws as evidence to his submissions when questioned by the court.
Justice Miviri said “the matter holds the liberty of a person on the line, and I need to be properly assisted”.
He told Tanuvasa that if the court was to lift the stay order, there should be laws before him to support that.
Meanwhile lawyer Greg Sheppard who appeared for O’Neill said his client was not given notice of the submissions raised by the state, and that the solicitor-general by having no evidence, might have no basis.
“The state had time to file evidence since the last sitting (Oct 21).”
Justice Miviri adjourned the matters to Oct 31.


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/oneills-stay-order-extended/

Widow gets life insurance

Posted on The National

THE widow of the late Sgt David Hale who was gunned down in Hela while on duty has been assured her eight children will be looked after by an insurance scheme called Police Legacy.
The message was relayed to her by Assist Comm of Police (human resource division) Sylvester Kalaut.
Kalaut, who looks after the welfare and general well-being of police officers, visited Cellina David and her family in Tari last weekend.
He was accompanied by Hela police commander Chief Inspector Ignas Augwi and deputy provincial administrator Eddy Yuwi.
He passed the police force’s gratitude to Sgt Hale for “serving the police force and the country, working under very difficult and treacherous circumstances” for 23 years.
He also gave the widow life insurance entitlements and haus krai contributions from the insurer and the late Hale’s comrades.
Kalaut started the insurance scheme in 2016 which covers more than 7,000 police officers in the constabulary.
He said they acted quickly in Hale’s case because of the “circumstances surrounding his death”.
“The constabulary has a scheme called the Police Legacy, which will cater for the school-aged children of the deceased police officer,” he said.
Kalaut hailed Hale as a “true hero killed in the line of duty”.
Sgt Hale is survived by his widow and eight children.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/widow-gets-life-insurance/

Club championship set

Posted on The National

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has commended all its affiliated competitions throughout the country for completing their seasons with grand finals.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said it was pleasing to note that all the matches were largely incident-free.
“There were some who had issues but I am pleased to learn that these matters were resolved within their leagues,” he said.
“We are taking responsibility and ownership in our leagues to resolve matters that risk bringing the game into disrepute.”
Tsaka said all premiership-winning men’s teams would now face off in their respective confederates.
“Starting this weekend, the elimination process will begin in each confederate with all the premier clubs to decide the regional club champions,” he said.
“The champions at the end of these eliminations must be decided by Nov 10.
“The champions will represent their confederates at the national club championship in Lae from Nov 15-17.”
Tsaka said teams were allowed only one player from the Digicel Cup, SP Hunters or PNG Kumuls.
“But as long as they are registered with their respective leagues,” he said.
He said all participating clubs must read and sign a participation agreement.
“This must be submitted to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League headquarters with the names of 25 players and three officials as soon as possible,” Tsaka said.
In the Southern Confederate, Kiunga premiers Storm host their Tabubil champions Storm tomorrow.
At the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Rugby Football League champions Brothers take on the Port Moresby Suburban Rugby League premiers Mountain Bulls.
University of Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League premiers Human Resources Management take on Motu-Koita Rugby League champions Tatana Islands Dolphins.
On Nov 3, Alotau Spiders face Northern Motel Bulldogs in Popondetta.
The Gulf playoff was won by Young Tigers (Kerema) over Highway Cowboys (Isouposa) in Kerema last weekend.


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/club-cship-set/

Education remains company’s priority

Posted on The National

OIL Search has invested more than K16 million in its education sponsorship programme since 1996, benefiting more than 2,000 students from Hides, Kutubu, Moran, Gobe and Kikori.
The largest share of funding goes to covering university fees which averages almost K200,000 annually.
Students from the project impact areas attending vocational, technical, secretarial, teaching, health/medical and theology training can also receive annual funding for school fees.
Medical doctor and senior lecturer of the University of Papua New Guinea Medical Faculty (UPNG MedFac), Dr Phili Mapira, is a former recipient of the Oil Search scholarship.
Mapira attended Koroba Secondary School in Hela and went on to study medicine and surgery at UPNG from 2000 to 2005.
She returned to her old school in Koroba as a guest speaker during the grade 10 and 12 graduation ceremony where she challenged students to commit to learning if they wanted to be successful in life.
She also took the opportunity to acknowledge Oil Search as a continuing sponsor of the school’s academic dux awards and prizes which includes laptops, dictionaries and scientific calculators.
The initiative underpins the education sponsorship programme and is run by the Oil Search community affairs team in Hides to recognise and reward high performing students from Koroba and Tari secondary schools.
“As a former graduate of the school, I thank you for being a partner in human resource development through the education sponsorship programme. My (academic) success can be attributed to your support,” Mapira said.
Oil Search senior community affairs officer Kevin Wanima said the Oil Search Academic Dux Awards not only recognised and reward students, it also helped motivate others to work hard.
He encouraged students to exercise discipline and to use their knowledge to better themselves.
The Oil Search community affairs education sponsorship programme currently focuses on education, health, business/finance and technical courses, engineering and theology.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/education-remains-companys-priority/

PM keen to assist locals in business

By SAMUEL BARIASI - The National

PRIME Minister James Marape wants to see an annual intervention programme over the next 10 years to assist locals in business.
During a visit to the National Development Bank (NDB) in Port Moresby yesterday, Marape said K100 million would be made available as loan to businesses.
The bank is introducing the Start Up and Grower loans for the agriculture and small to medium enterprise (SME) sectors.
“We want to assist the bank in creating soft loan programmes to encourage more Papua New Guineans to get into business activities,” Marape said
NDB chairman Michael Mell said there was a need to properly define SME so that clear policies could be directed towards SME businesses.
“The bank currently charges 6.5 per cent across the board for all loans. Thus the margins are too low to sustain the bank’s operations.
“But we should be able to put in policies and strategies to align with the Government’s policies and aspirations to mitigate these issues once we clearly define SME.”
NDB managing director Moses Liu said the three programmes already in place were agriculture loans, small business loans, and women in business loans.
“With the new products, loans up to K100,000 can be granted with adjusted rates and conditions to sustain businesses in the agriculture and SME sectors,” he said.
“We will wait for the funding arrangements in the 2020 budget and then we will be able to commercialise the bank.”


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-keen-to-assist-locals-in-business/

Namah to PM: Act on Hela

By JEFFERY ELAPA - The National

A POLICE officer injured in an ambush in Hela was yesterday evacuated to Port Moresby, as the Opposition urged Prime Minister James Marape to quickly address the violence in his Hela province.
Oil Search Limited assisted in the medical evacuation of Constable James Kobol from Tari yesterday.
Kobol was injured in an ambush last week at the Tokoyo Bridge in Hela.
He was airlifted from Tari Hospital on an Oil Search helicopter to Moro where he was transferred to an Oil Search-chartered Link PNG flight to Port Moresby.
At Jackson airport, Kobol was met by Oil Search staff who transported him in St John Ambulance vehicle to the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Rick Loveridge, Oil Search senior vice-president medical and health services said: “We were happy to assist Constable Kobol and take immediate action upon receiving a request from Hela Governor Philip Undialu.”
Marape, the Tari-Pori MP, was in his province last week to attend the funeral of police officer Sergeant David Hale who was shot the week before.
He urged his people to stop the violence and learn to peacefully co-exist.
Yesterday, Opposition Leader Belden Namah accused Marape of failing to address law and order issues in Hela.
He said the recent attacks on police officers should prompt Marape to “take back Tari and Hela from lawlessness”.
Namah called on Marape to resign because the crime rate in Hela and the country had “spiralled out of control”.
“He does not know how to address the law and order situation in the country.
He can’t (even) control it in his district and province,” Namah said.
“He cannot defend his lack of leadership following the mass murder of innocent people, the gunning down of Sergeant David Hale last week and the chopping up of another policeman in Tari on Tuesday this week.
“The prime minister has all the resources at his disposal but cannot control law and order in his own district and province.
“What hope is there for the rest of the country?”
Efforts to get a comment from Marape yesterday were unsuccessful. Namah said Marape should arrange for a special security force operation “to flush out crime” in Hela and arrest the “senseless killers”.
“Enough of the empty rhetoric about talking back PNG and making PNG the richest black Christian nation in the world,” he said.
“He must show leadership and go back to his people and stop the senseless killings and frequent murders.
“He has failed his people of Tari-Pori and Hela,” Namah said.


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/namah-to-pm-act-on-hela/

PNG scientist wins international award

Posted by Radio New Zealand

A young Papua New Guinean scientist has been granted an international award for her revolutionary research in the field of agriculture.

Yalinu Poya is pursuing her PHD in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom.

She is one of 25 researchers, out of a global pool of 837 scientists, to be named Green Talent Awardees by Germany's Ministry of Education and Research.

Ms Poya is developing a technique to streamline a process for making synthetic plant fertilisers to reduce environmental harm and high energy consumption.

Her focus is on developing 'novel catalysts' for the synthesis of ammonia, an essential component of commercial fertilisers.

If successful, her method would enable ammonia to be synthesised more effectively on a small scale.

The German ministry said Ms Poya had brought a fresh perspective on addressing global challenges like climate change, food security and energy generation from renewable sources.

Yalinu Poya @YalinuPoya

The 25 Green Talent Award winners for 2019, selected from across the world by the Ministry of Research and Education for the Government of Germany for outstanding achievement in sustainable development. Humbled to be selected for this prestigious international award

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Ms Poya said she was honoured and quite overwhelmed to be chosen to be part of such an elite group of scientists.

She hoped her achievement would encourage other young women in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific to pursue STEM careers.

"The world is moving fast and we should not live in the norms of our PNG and Pacific societies which sadly limit women," she said.

"My message to all the girls and women in the Pacific is do not limit your potential and underestimate yourself. You are some of the strongest women in the world and you are naturally gifted. If you have a passion for STEM, go for it."

There was no limit to what Pacific women could achieve with hard work and dedication, she said.

"Cut out unnecessary distractions, toxic people, negativity, and focus on your goals and have faith despite the ups and downs you may come across," she said.

"Do not underestimate yourself, you can be a catalyst of change not only in PNG and the Pacific, but you can contribute to the world as well."

As part of the award, Ms Poya had been attending an intensive science forum in Germany which concludes this Saturday.

Ms Yalinu and the other awardees have been travelling to different cities and research hot spots including Saarsbrucken, Aachen, Wuppertal, Bonn and Dusseldorf.

The official award ceremony was held in Berlin.

Go to this link for more: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/401697/png-scientist-wins-international-award

FIRST FEMALE LICENSED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEER (LAME) ON DASH 8 AIRCRAFT

Posted by FM100 News

28 year old Elena Mai has become Air Niugini’s if not Papua New Guinea’s first female Mechanical Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) on Dash 8 aircraft.

From a mixed parentage of East New Britain, Gulf and Central Provinces, Elena is one of four female Air Niugini LAMEs; the other three women are licensed on Fokker jet aircraft.

Being a licensed engineer, Elena can now give approval for the release of Dash 8 aircraft to service following maintenance.

Before signing the document of approval, Elena must be satisfied with the works, she thoroughly checks to ensure the maintenance is completed to the highest standard and is carried out in accordance with Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Rules and Regulations.

The first aircraft Elena released to service was the Bombardier Dash8-200(P2-ANK) on the 15th of May 2019 in Port Moresby.

The aircraft was involved in heavy maintenance checks at Air Niugini’s in-house maintenance facility in Port Moresby.
Elena was the section leader of this project which took 10 weeks to be completed.

She said “Being the first Papua New Guinean woman to have signed off or release a dash 8 aircraft to service hasn’t really sunk in yet because you work on a day to day basis to achieve company goals and objectives.”

“ It comes with huge responsibility because you’re signing off on something that you deem is safe and air worthy and you must work according to CASA PNG rules and regulations and also aircraft manufacturers’ to make sure that you meet all safety standards. “

Elena so far has released four Dash 8 aircraft to service.
Her achievement also proves Air Niugini’s continuous efforts to support and empower women in workplace.

Ms Mai is one of four females among total 67 Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAMEs) employed by Air Niugini.
The airline also has 51 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) of which eight-women.

Elena has been with Air Niugini for 7 years now where she has done four years as a cadet and three years on the job.
She attended Air New Zealand Aviation Institute in Wellington, New Zealand in 2014 where she did two years of theory and another two years on the job training with Hawker Pacific in Cairns, Australia.

Air Niugini’s LAME and coordinator of Heavy Maintenance Checks, Richard Woolcock explained that the Certificate of Return to Service (CRS) for an aircraft states that all the work has been carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations in force by CASA PNG.

“The person signing this form, MC-34, is signing a legal document to say that he/she is satisfied that all the work is complete,” Woolcock said.

Elena finished her formal training 2 years ago and since then had to sit exams for her PNG aircraft engineers license, an aircraft type course which teaches her the systems on the aircraft.

She then had to sit for an oral and written exam with Engineering’s Manager, Quality Assurance to get approval from Air Niugini to be able to sign as a supervisor for the work she carries out and to oversee other staff members for the work they carry out.

“I get a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement knowing that I have contributed to the next generation of LAME to be coming through to take over the engineering here at Air Niugini and beyond.

“As for the fact that Elena is female that is of course of great importance but I treat all the new engineers in exactly the same way and hopefully so does everyone else,” Woolcock said.

He added that the training provided for the cadets has been outstanding in every way and this has resulted in not just Elena but many other former cadets performing exceptionally well.

Woolcock highlighted that as an individual, Elena has an outgoing personality which helps a lot when communicating with others in her group, the staff working for her as a LAME and also the more senior staff members.

Elena further added that hard work and perseverance is key, if you have the right mindset you can achieve anything in life.

“Looking at it from a broader perspective, I thank Air Niugini for achieving that milestone, for the investment and for being groomed under this airline as a cadet and then becoming an AME and now a LAME, I am grateful to everyone that has supported me through my journey.”

Mine told to close

By JEFFREY ELAPA - The National

THE Government has closed down the processing plant of the multi-billion kina Ramu nickel mine in Madang for “violating mining and safety standards”.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke also warned other mines in the country to follow the law.
He said the processing plant shut down its operation as ordered on Monday.
“Safety cannot be compromised as it deals with lives and safety of the people,” Tuke said.
“Therefore the company was ordered to cease operations because it failed to adequately rectify defects recommended during the investigation by the (mining) inspectorate into the incident that resulted in the spillage of slurry into the sea on August 24.”
The operation shutdown is for an indefinite period. It is only for the processing plant but it inevitably affects the entire operation.
The US$2.1billion (about K6.5 bil) Ramu nickel project near Madang is rated one of the largest and most ambitious mining and processing projects to have been successfully brought into production in PNG.
The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) said the China-owned Ramu nickel and cobalt mine had violated mining and safety standards of operations.
Its managing director Jerry Garry and Chief Mining Inspector Lave Michael were with Tuke during the announcement of the closure.
Garry said the MRA was responsible for safety and had nothing to do with environmental issues relating to mining which was the responsibility of the Conservation Environment Protection Authority.
Michael said following the slurry spillage on Aug 24, the mining inspectorate from MRA went to Madang and Basamuk to investigate. It found that the mine lacked safety standards posing risk to lives.
The defects identified included the “incompetency of the operator, inadequate bund capacity, inadequate spillage containment system and inadequate maintenance of instrumentation and machines”.
He said they issued 16 remedial action items and advised the company to address them. But after six weeks, the company did not carry them out.
In response to the shutdown of operations, the mine management said as a responsible investor in PNG, they would try their best to comply with all the laws that govern their operation in the mining industry.
“The mine inspectors are on the ground at Basamuk for inspection so upon their instruction, Ramu Nico will make its official comments if need be. Now we respect their inspection until further notice. We are also working closely with MRA and CEPA and other statutory bodies to ensure we do not breach any laws.”


Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/mine-told-to-close/

How I was able to share my blessings

By DOMINICA ARE - PNG Attitude

GOROKA - It was Tuesday 8 October during the lunch break. Everyone went out and I was alone in the office with my thoughts.

It was serene. The air crisp and cool. The fresh smell of roasted coffee floated by.

And I stared hard at the blank page before me, pondering on what I would write.

The task was a poem for the 2019 World Food Day Poetry Competition organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in PNG.

I glanced at the World Food Day theme, 'Our Actions are Our Future', and the key messages associated with it. Thousands of ideas buzzed through my head but the word 'share' buzzed loudest.

My thoughts drifted gratefully to all the kind people I have crossed paths with. The people who gave me their time, made sacrifices so they could tend to my needs, listened and encouraged me, shared the little and best they had, shared their skills and knowledge.

All this had at least made life bearable. I also try my best to do the same to others. No one should feel and suffer alone. It was a spur of the moment inspiration to come up with my poem, 'Share your blessings'. I emailed my entry that afternoon.

Access to healthy food is a basic human right but how can I as an individual contribute to a zero hunger and healthy society?

I believe that small acts of kindness like sharing our resources and skills with people who are less fortunate and less informed is a way forward.

So, if you are blessed with land and enjoying the fruits of your labour, promote and encourage others to do the same.

If you are blessed with food, share with your neighbour

If you are blessed with skills on land cultivation or preparing nutritious meals, share your skills and experiences with others.

Share your good eating habits. It will go along way in helping others to live a fulfilling life. Healthy diets keeps the doctor away and we can walk away unscathed by the cruel hands of lifestyle diseases.

I would like to thank my friends on Facebook and Instagram for voting for my entry and for their uplifting comments.

Also my immense gratitude to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in PNG for selecting me as one of the finalists and for the opportunity to travel to Port Moresby to witness and take part in the World Food Day Celebration on 16 October at the UPNG Forum Square.

It was amazing to see the high level of student participation and to listen to inspirational messages from advocates like Ryan Pini and Chef Golonzo .

The importance of having a healthy diet and healthy living should be taught at an early age. Our children may grow up in good health, happy and wise and surely will pass this on.

It was truly a memorable and wonderful experience.

Share your blessings

We have been blessed abundantly with land
So fertile, anything can grow and blend
Till it, and watch in awe at its produce
Hungry no more, now others can deduce

We have been blessed abundantly with food
Now let’s go out and share, a deed so good
Your brethren cannot starve, even to death
Too late to feel pangs of guilt and lay a wreath

We have been blessed abundantly with skills
Now let’s show others, till their cup fills
About food security, so they’ll have enough
They shouldn’t be alone in conditions so tough

Start with our neighbor, little by little
Through this mighty deed, this example
Surely and gradually this flame will spread
To live in hunger, no one will now dread

We have been blessed with good wellbeing
Now let’s show others, let good health reign
Start with in our circle, our family
Have home cooked meals, prepared lovingly

Our daily three meals should be healthy
Fruits, vegetables, lean meat and fish are worthy
Replace sugar drinks with blended fruits and water
Share your blessings, human race may live longer

Go to this link for more: https://www.pngattitude.com/2019/10/how-i-was-able-to-share-my-blessings.html

Using CCTVs, technology to fight crime

Posted on The National

DALE LUMA

TWO hundred Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras were installed for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit security operations in the National Capital District (NCD) last November at a cost of K42 million. The National’s reporter DALE LUMA looks at how this technology can enhance policing operations and crime prevention in the NCD.

FOR more than 10 months after the Apec leaders’ summit, the 200 security cameras installed in strategic locations in NCD were left unused or had remained as White Elephants.
However, police in the NCD are set to make full use of the CCTVs for crime prevention and, law and order enforcement operations.

A surveillance camera is seen next to a sign of Huawei outside a shopping mall in Beijing, China. Photo: Reuters

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the police force and the NCD Commission (NCDC) on Oct 11 for the police to have control and use of the CCTV surveillance system.
NCD governor Powes Parkop previously commissioned and handed it over to NCD Metropolitan Supt Perou N’dranou. But the police could not use security monitoring system because the management of the building (Oakley Haus) where the CCTV control centre is located did allow police access.

David Manning

Manning … security cameras to be installed near schools
Acting Police Comm David Manning said the previous arrangements on the use of the CCTVs was under the “auspicious” of the Apec summit security operations, hence the MoA.
“The MoA has enabled police to operate the control centre to monitor public security in the strategic locations where CCTVs have been installed.
“The surveillance system has the capacity to cover most of the major suburbs in the NCD known for criminal activities and petty crimes. These include Erima, Gordon, Koki, Badili and Boroko,” he added.
Police and the NCDC had started discussions on July 19 to reactivate 190 cameras.
“The cameras will help police to keep security watch on a much wider coverage, adding more bite to crime prevention patrols and, law and order enforcement, to our limited manpower.
“We are also mulling the installation of more cameras in crowded places where human movement is high. These include bus stops and shopping centres,” he added.
“Certain areas are popular for public gatherings. CCTVs will help enhance our operations to ensure law and order with our limited manpower. CCTVs can also deter criminals.
“The advantage of CCTVs is enhancing the planning of security tasks with lesser manpower. This has been the subject of many discussions and we will be looking at installing more cameras at shops and even school areas,” he added.
Manning said: “We have to consider the privacy of citizens. Thus, CCTVs will only be installed in public areas. Cameras will be installed on street poles near schools.
“Now that we have access to the CCTV control centre, policemen who were trained for Apec security will be tasked again to man the centre.
“In preparation for Apec, our men were trained to operate the controls at the centre. We also sent some of our technical staff to overseas for training and camera maintenance.
“But, going forward, we will need more personnel and will be looking at options to continue such trainings to ensure that we have adequately trained our people to operate the TV cameras.”

Powes Parkop

Parkop … more CCTVs installed can fight crime
Parkop reiterated said vision to have more CCTVs installed in as many parts of the city as possible.
“This will help us to manage and check the rise of crime by identifying and arresting suspects with swift response to emergencies. CCTVs can also help manage traffic,” he said.
“We already have CCTVs at selected traffic lights but we need coverage at Ela Beach as soon as possible and at the new Gordon Market and its surrounding.
“CCTVs can help us identify and catch suspected criminals and check violence.
“The long-range cameras can capture even petty crimes such as bag-snatching at roundabouts, markets and other hotspots,” he said, adding that the surveillance system had worked well in many cities in the world.

Rio Fiocco

Fiocco … applauds NCDC-police joint fight against crime
PORT Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) president Rio Fiocco expressed the business communities’ support for the use of the CCTV control centre for law and order enforcement.
“We believe that making Port Moresby a safer environment will not just be better for business houses but also for our employees, residents and visitors,” he added.
Fiocco said POMCCI also applauded NCDC’s initiative to work closely with the police other problems like graffiti that often occurs in the middle of the night.
“We are very glad to work closely with the governor and metropolitan superintendent to make Port Moresby a safer and better place for all.”
He said one way business houses could help was by paying for the installation of CCTVs in its neighbourhood.
“This will help police widen their public law and order monitoring. Our members can also work with other interested groups to set up neighbourhood watch schemes,” he added.
Fiocco said police and NCDC should better monitor bus stations to ensure that passengers commuted safely on PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles).

Panuel Mogish

Justice Mogish … CCTVs and technology in general must be used to fight crime
National Court judge Justice Panuel Mogish had previously remarked on how CCTV and technology in general must be used to fight crime.
He said this when sentencing a 28-year-old man who raped a 19-year-old student in 2015.
Justice Mogish also urged the Government, business houses and individual property owners to install CCTVs to assist in the fight against crime.
“CCTVs and mobile phones are today vital assets that can be used to deter crime,” he stressed.
The rape was recorded on a mobile phone, posted on social media and the video clip was used to identify the accused who was jailed.
“This is the first case I have heard in which the offender’s images were posted on the internet, successfully prosecuted, convicted and sentenced.
“Capturing images on the mobile phones and making them available to the police confidential line is an effective method ordinary citizens can use in the fight against crime. Citizens can fight crime with the use of technology,” he added.

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Photo: China News Service

China’s hi-tech cameras watching every move

Life has gotten a lot tougher for China’s public-transport pickpockets.
A new metro line in Guangzhou, a wealthy city in the southern province of Guangdong, has been fitted with 4K CCTV cameras that enable real-time surveillance of every inch of the train in ultra-high definition.
The 22km route is thought to be the first subterranean train line in the world to be armed with the cutting-edge security system that beams live images to a control room with spectacular clarity.
– South China Morning Post

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Ecuador fighting crime using Chinese technology

Ecuador’s hi-tech security surveillance control centre.

Ecuador says its network of security cameras has helped bring down the crime rate, according to Xinhua.
Its network of cameras has been installed across the South American nation’s 24 provinces – keeping watch on its population of 16.4 million people – using a system known as the ECU911 Integrated Security Service.
Used by the country’s police, armed forces and fire brigade, it went into operation in November 2016 and features an emergency response and monitoring system.
Service deputy director Sixto Heras said the system had helped to bring down the country’s crime rate by 24 per cent since the cameras were installed.
He added that Ecuador went from a ranking of 11th safest country in South America in 2010 to the fourth safest country in 2016.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/using-cctvs-technology-to%e2%80%89%e2%80%89fight-crime/