(As appearing in the national in 08)
By SALOMINA DIMARA
THE Central province is set to become a major producer of an income earning product that can bring in millions of kina from a humble crop known as the cassava.
The 20,000 hectares of land for the cassava bio-fuel project is located along the Magi Highway beginning at Saroakeina and stretching all the way out towards the Launakalana station.
There is interest among landowners to extend the project across to the Abau side.
Changhae Tapioka (PNG) Ltd the developer of the multi-million kina cassava bio-fuel project is looking at exporting its first lot of cassava chips to South Korea in the next year to be processed onto ethanol or bio-fuel and the next five years will see the establishment of its own ethanol factory on the cassava estate.
Signboards along the highway advertise the project which has brought major infrastructure development into the Rigo district.
The first “Cassava Bio-fuel Project” signboard is located at Kwikila at the corner of the junction that leads to the provincial government offices and the road that leads to Kupiano.
The other larger one welcoming everyone is erected at the top of the Bannon Bridge where the mighty Kemp Welch River flows past Saroakeina village.
The third signboard is clearly positioned at the front entrance to the cassava projects nursery and multiplication site.
The cassava project has become very popular among the villagers, most of whom are engaged in subsistence gardening, fishing and hunting to survive.
Economic activities involve trade stores and the sale of garden produce and betelnut at Kwikila or in Port Moresby.
Changhae Tapioka (PNG) Ltd is set to bring about tangible economic developments and benefits to the Central province. With the new environmental trends for cleaner source of energy, cassava has been identified for the production of ethanol as an additive to petrol. The ethanol from cassava can also be used in the manufacture of liquors and spirits. Hence cassava is also emerging as a potential high value cash crop.
The Changhae Group in South Korea is one of the leading manufacturers and consumers of ethanol.
With a projected internal requirement of about 70,000 tons of cassava and capability to find markets for an additional 70,000 tons, Changhae Tapioka (PNG) Ltd is the gate way to international markets.
PNG has the right climate and soil condition for this particular crop and more local farmers need to be encouraged to boost the cultivation of cassava.
The PNG Government is aware of the potential of this particular crop and through its Green Revolution Policy has resolved to engage the private sector in a mutually profitable private/public partnership This is also consistent with governments policy on poverty alleviation and rural empowerment.
The Government is fully supportive of this project after the signing of an MOU in 2005 and since than have identified and made available suitable agricultural and industrial land for cassava cultivation and ethanol production which will be the cornerstone of the projects success.
Already 20,000 hectares of land has been acquired in the Rigo area for development of the cassava bio-fuel project and this has steadily been in progress since the ground breaking ceremony officiated by the Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in Bore last year.
Operations have been progressing steadily and part of the company’s incentive to provide job opportunities, training, and community service has fallen into place. The company is currently developing its estate and nursery from the 100 hectares that have been allocated for this purpose from the 20,000 hectares acquired.
Over 40 staff are employed on the estate with more to join as the estate expands.
Also there to conduct hands on industrial training are eight students from the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe province.
The third year Agriculture Science students from different parts of the country were happy to be attached to the project and contributing to the pioneering of this agro-industrial project.
The students are on a three months industrial attachment at the project site.
Their training consists of project management (practical and theory) and research methods. In order to carry out their research the students were allocated blocks to develop.
“The project plan we chose was to engage in project management practices and as such four hectares was allocated to us to develop and manage,” said Enara Enara, team leader of the students.
Planting materials (cassava stalks) were also needed for their blocks and the students managed to obtain this from local villagers in Maopa and Gavuone where two of the students came from.
Awareness was done about the value of the crop and what benefits it can bring for the villagers with this new industry and the local villagers were willing to help by supplying the planting materials.
The company also assisted the students in purchasing basic food items such as bales of rice, flour, sugar, and packets of tea. These goods the students exchanged with villagers for cassava stalks.
“We were not expecting such gifts as this. All we wanted was to help supply the students with their planting materials as we know that the cassava project will bring a lot of development to the Central province,” said Lua Teru from Gavuone village.
The students managed to obtain 18,000 cuttings of cassava stalks totaling more than the target number of 16,000 which they had estimated to collect from the two villages.
They attributed this to the general interest of the villagers after learning about the cassava bio-fuel project.
The local village women also provided the students with valuable information on their gardening methods and the different varieties that were available, which also came in handy for the student’s research project.
“We were able to obtain 7 different local varieties, some with fast high yielding rate, effective planting methods from the local gardeners for fast germination, advantages and disadvantages of cassava with other crops and major diseases that affect most cassava along the Central province” said Enara.
Changhae’s nursery and multiplication site is basically to produce planting materials for the plantation and the students input into this project were welcomed by the company.
Travelling along the highway to the cassava plantation is easily accessible as it is sealed all the way except for the deteriorating condition of some of the bridges along the way which have been long overdue for repair.
Recently two of the bridges along the highway within the vicinity of Saroakeina were reconstructed by workmen from the cassava estate.
Equipment such as generator, oxy, power drill and grinder were provided to make the job efficient and by afternoon two of the bridges had their old rotting timbers on the railway replaced and bolted with new timber.
The first bridge usually a nightmare for the travelling public had its base bolted with timber on its iron as well as the cross sections at the bottom replaced with new timber.
* The writer is the Information Officer- Changhae Tapioka (PNG
Our comment
MPs who have heads could easily bring the investors to their own provinces Milne bay, Morobe, Madang, Sepik and all NGIs Provinces. Tapioka is easy to plant and propagate. PNG could easily become a leading exporter of cassava in the world.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sagu is second female judge
By JULIA DAIA BORE
REGINA Sagu (right) is PNG’s second national female judge, joining Justice Catherine Davani.
Ms Sagu was appointed acting judge for the National and Supreme Courts by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC).
Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat, chairman of the JLSC, announced the appointment yesterday.
Ms Sagu is from Sangurap village, Wabag, Enga province.
She attended the UPNG’s law school and obtained her degree in February 1985. She attended the Legal Training Institute in 1985 and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
She served as a legal officer at the public solicitor’s office in Enga from 1986 to 1988 and served as a legal officer for the Enga provincial government from 1988 to 1990 before going into private practice.
She became a senior magistrate in 1994 and a principal magistrate in 1999.
She served as acting deputy chief magistrate in 1999 and 2000.
Conrats to Sagu. Job well done. from WAECA Elites.
REGINA Sagu (right) is PNG’s second national female judge, joining Justice Catherine Davani.
Ms Sagu was appointed acting judge for the National and Supreme Courts by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC).
Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat, chairman of the JLSC, announced the appointment yesterday.
Ms Sagu is from Sangurap village, Wabag, Enga province.
She attended the UPNG’s law school and obtained her degree in February 1985. She attended the Legal Training Institute in 1985 and was admitted to the Bar in 1987.
She served as a legal officer at the public solicitor’s office in Enga from 1986 to 1988 and served as a legal officer for the Enga provincial government from 1988 to 1990 before going into private practice.
She became a senior magistrate in 1994 and a principal magistrate in 1999.
She served as acting deputy chief magistrate in 1999 and 2000.
Conrats to Sagu. Job well done. from WAECA Elites.
‘52 SDAs face being sacked’
MORE than 50 Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church workers face being terminated if they do not work on Saturdays, Markham MP Koni Iguan told Parliament yesterday.
Mr Iguan, in a series of questions to Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Mark Maipakai, said the 52 SDA members work for Ramu Sugar Ltd and also reside with their families in that township.
SDAs throughout the world honour Saturday as a day of worship, prayer and rest.
However, Mr Iguan said last Saturday, the company issued a general notice to all employees to work on Saturdays.
“These SDA workers are now expected to go against their conscience and their religious beliefs to work on Saturdays.”
Mr Iguan said the management had indicated taking drastic action and severely penalise those who did not turn up for work on Saturdays.
“The action is in direct breach of the UN Convention on Human Rights Universal Declaration Article 18, allowing the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,” Mr Iguan said.
Mr Maipakai promised to check the claims and report back to the MP.
Mr Iguan, in a series of questions to Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Mark Maipakai, said the 52 SDA members work for Ramu Sugar Ltd and also reside with their families in that township.
SDAs throughout the world honour Saturday as a day of worship, prayer and rest.
However, Mr Iguan said last Saturday, the company issued a general notice to all employees to work on Saturdays.
“These SDA workers are now expected to go against their conscience and their religious beliefs to work on Saturdays.”
Mr Iguan said the management had indicated taking drastic action and severely penalise those who did not turn up for work on Saturdays.
“The action is in direct breach of the UN Convention on Human Rights Universal Declaration Article 18, allowing the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,” Mr Iguan said.
Mr Maipakai promised to check the claims and report back to the MP.
Monday, March 16, 2009
PM leads team to SDA service
(From the National)
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare and several MPs attended church service at the Korobosea Seventh-Day Adventist church on Saturday.
Sir Michael and the MPs, including Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat, Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu, Environment Minister Benny Allan, Fisheries Minister Ben Semri and Correctional Service Minister Tony Aimo attended the church service at the invitation of Education Minister James Marape, who is also a church elder at the Korobosea SDA church.
Mr Marape was also the preacher on that day.
The MPs started arriving by 10am followed by Sir Michael who arrived to a red carpet welcome and a guard of honour by the youth, pathfinders and adventurers.
They took part in signing hymns, giving offerings and then listened to Mr Marape preach about leaders being stewards of God. His sermon was based on Nehemiah 9:5-7 and verses 13-15.
He also recommended the book of Ecclesiastes to his colleague MPs to help them in their leadership.
Sir Michael and the MPs were treated to a luncheon of vegetarian food after the church service.
Sir Michael thanked the church for the service, adding, it was the first time to hear one of his ministers preach.
Other MPs who attended the service were Forest Minister Belden Namah, Foreign Affairs Trade and Immigration Minister Sam Abal, Central Bougainville MP Jim Miringtoro and Kerowagi MP Guma Wau among others.
It is good to have MPs who are God fearing. There are certainly some good MPs including Mr Marape and Dr. Puka Temu. PNG would have been ruled a lot more better if we had such people.
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare and several MPs attended church service at the Korobosea Seventh-Day Adventist church on Saturday.
Sir Michael and the MPs, including Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat, Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu, Environment Minister Benny Allan, Fisheries Minister Ben Semri and Correctional Service Minister Tony Aimo attended the church service at the invitation of Education Minister James Marape, who is also a church elder at the Korobosea SDA church.
Mr Marape was also the preacher on that day.
The MPs started arriving by 10am followed by Sir Michael who arrived to a red carpet welcome and a guard of honour by the youth, pathfinders and adventurers.
They took part in signing hymns, giving offerings and then listened to Mr Marape preach about leaders being stewards of God. His sermon was based on Nehemiah 9:5-7 and verses 13-15.
He also recommended the book of Ecclesiastes to his colleague MPs to help them in their leadership.
Sir Michael and the MPs were treated to a luncheon of vegetarian food after the church service.
Sir Michael thanked the church for the service, adding, it was the first time to hear one of his ministers preach.
Other MPs who attended the service were Forest Minister Belden Namah, Foreign Affairs Trade and Immigration Minister Sam Abal, Central Bougainville MP Jim Miringtoro and Kerowagi MP Guma Wau among others.
It is good to have MPs who are God fearing. There are certainly some good MPs including Mr Marape and Dr. Puka Temu. PNG would have been ruled a lot more better if we had such people.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Coastal plants bearing fruits in the Highlands
By ZACHERY PER (The National)
RESIDENTS of some of towns in the Highlands region are already noticing strange things happening to coastal plants they have brought to plant there.
Plants that normally grow only on the coastal areas are beginning to bear fruit in the Highlands.
This is believed to be a direct consequence of the effects of global warming.
Notable of some of the plants are betelnut, coconut and even palm oil.
A local resident of Kundiawa, Teine Kua was shocked and thrilled to see an ornamental palm oil tree he planted next to his mother’s house at Ega Street in town bearing young fruits.
According to Mr Kua he planted a seed he mysteriously found inside his trousers pocket.
“Until now, I cannot recall who exactly
gave me the oil palm seed,” he said.
However, after taking the seed he planted it near the house and after a few weeks noticed young shoots developing.
In the process he planted sticks around the area to allow for it to grow well and not being tempered with.
“Initially, I thought the plant was betelnut, but after some time I noticed that the leaves were different,” Mr Kua said.
He also mentioned of a bean seed he found in a pocket of a trousers he bought at a second-hand shop which he brought home and planted and later noticed the seed germinating and growing up to be a bean.
He called the bean “Jack and the Bean Stalk” because the size of the beans were big compared to the local varieties.
His elder brother Kawagle Kua already harvested a fully matured coconut at Barawaghi Works unit compound few years ago.
RESIDENTS of some of towns in the Highlands region are already noticing strange things happening to coastal plants they have brought to plant there.
Plants that normally grow only on the coastal areas are beginning to bear fruit in the Highlands.
This is believed to be a direct consequence of the effects of global warming.
Notable of some of the plants are betelnut, coconut and even palm oil.
A local resident of Kundiawa, Teine Kua was shocked and thrilled to see an ornamental palm oil tree he planted next to his mother’s house at Ega Street in town bearing young fruits.
According to Mr Kua he planted a seed he mysteriously found inside his trousers pocket.
“Until now, I cannot recall who exactly
gave me the oil palm seed,” he said.
However, after taking the seed he planted it near the house and after a few weeks noticed young shoots developing.
In the process he planted sticks around the area to allow for it to grow well and not being tempered with.
“Initially, I thought the plant was betelnut, but after some time I noticed that the leaves were different,” Mr Kua said.
He also mentioned of a bean seed he found in a pocket of a trousers he bought at a second-hand shop which he brought home and planted and later noticed the seed germinating and growing up to be a bean.
He called the bean “Jack and the Bean Stalk” because the size of the beans were big compared to the local varieties.
His elder brother Kawagle Kua already harvested a fully matured coconut at Barawaghi Works unit compound few years ago.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Better ways to curb the HIV/AIDs and TB Epidemic in PNG?
Surely there has to be a better way of curbing the HIV/AIDs and TB epidemic. In medical terms, TB and AIDs are cousins. The more AIDS patients, the more of their cousins. Certainly huge public banners have not worked, public campaigns have not done much. This is because we, papua New Guineans like overnight results. The PNG AIDs council want to be seen to be doing something, so they go around publicising their little works. NGOs look for ways to get money from the National AIDs council. Even church run ones. Surely there has to be a better way of doing things. Some suggestions.
1. Start from square one - Start teaching kids from kinder or prep. Teach them about moral ways, and the fruits of doing evil things. Continue to nurture them as they grow up. The results will be seen in more than ten tto wenty years.
2. Start from the family unit. It should become the family unit's responsiblity to educate the young ones from birth. Teach them what is good and what is bad.
3. Improve education. Make basic education available free to all. An educated population will heed messages quite well.
4. Improve the economy and standard of living. The better the economy, the better the standard of living. People live in a healthier environment and there is less overcrowding.
5. Go to church. What ever their religious back ground, parents should bring their children to church. A God fearing population will behave appropriately.
Instead of looking for overnight results and looking for ways to spend money, we should start from birth, teach them, from the family unit, to larger societies. Educate the population, bring children to church and improve their socioeconomic status. These will lead to a healthier society.
These are our views. Comments are welcome.
1. Start from square one - Start teaching kids from kinder or prep. Teach them about moral ways, and the fruits of doing evil things. Continue to nurture them as they grow up. The results will be seen in more than ten tto wenty years.
2. Start from the family unit. It should become the family unit's responsiblity to educate the young ones from birth. Teach them what is good and what is bad.
3. Improve education. Make basic education available free to all. An educated population will heed messages quite well.
4. Improve the economy and standard of living. The better the economy, the better the standard of living. People live in a healthier environment and there is less overcrowding.
5. Go to church. What ever their religious back ground, parents should bring their children to church. A God fearing population will behave appropriately.
Instead of looking for overnight results and looking for ways to spend money, we should start from birth, teach them, from the family unit, to larger societies. Educate the population, bring children to church and improve their socioeconomic status. These will lead to a healthier society.
These are our views. Comments are welcome.
House to bring in new law for climate office.
By Harlyne Joku (from PNGs post courier)
Parliament has adopted a paper presented by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare stressing the need to set up the office of climate change as
a separate legal entity after much debate yesterday afternoon.
Sir Michael highlighted in his paper titled “Climate Policy Challenge and Responsibility” that PNG will control its own destiny in
climate change by setting up the Office of Climate Change as a separate legal entity.
He added that legislation would be introduced to Parliament which would enable the launching of the Office of Climate Change as a separate
legal entity.
“What shape and how that happens will be a matter for Cabinet and ultimately Parliament to decide on,” Sir Michael said.
He added that Cabinet had approved on February 11, the setting up of a board of trustees to ensure that PNG complied with international
treaty obligations relating to climate change and carbon trade issues.
And the board of trustees will ensure proper transparency and account-ability for funds approved by donors for climate change and carbon
trade projects in PNG.
“I can assure Papua New Guinea that my Government will not be party to selling away our people’s rights to their forest resources or park
carbon credit returns in trust mechanisms created in Singapore or Australia to be controlled by unknown persons who are not answerable to
the Government of the day.
“Papua New Guinea will control its own destiny in climate change. The trusts are important for ensuring transparency, audit compliance and
accountability.
“The overall aim is to ensure that the rural communities who own these resources benefit to improve the living standard which is part of
our aims to achieve the millennium development goals.
“The trusts will be taken up in the new draft legislation which will have community input before it goes to Parliament,” Sir Michael said.
Sir Michael said he has told the Office of Climate Change to consult all relevant stakeholders, which includes resource owners, provincial
governments, NGOs, other government agencies, business houses and entities with direct and indirect interests in climate change
projects.
“It is important for the Government to gauge community views, but ultimately the Government will govern for the long term interests of
this country,’’ Sir Michael said. “This Government will not pander to big businessmen driven by self interest or international
organisations coming in to rip the people off.
“Consultation is necessary to take into account community views,” the Prime Minister said.
Parliament has adopted a paper presented by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare stressing the need to set up the office of climate change as
a separate legal entity after much debate yesterday afternoon.
Sir Michael highlighted in his paper titled “Climate Policy Challenge and Responsibility” that PNG will control its own destiny in
climate change by setting up the Office of Climate Change as a separate legal entity.
He added that legislation would be introduced to Parliament which would enable the launching of the Office of Climate Change as a separate
legal entity.
“What shape and how that happens will be a matter for Cabinet and ultimately Parliament to decide on,” Sir Michael said.
He added that Cabinet had approved on February 11, the setting up of a board of trustees to ensure that PNG complied with international
treaty obligations relating to climate change and carbon trade issues.
And the board of trustees will ensure proper transparency and account-ability for funds approved by donors for climate change and carbon
trade projects in PNG.
“I can assure Papua New Guinea that my Government will not be party to selling away our people’s rights to their forest resources or park
carbon credit returns in trust mechanisms created in Singapore or Australia to be controlled by unknown persons who are not answerable to
the Government of the day.
“Papua New Guinea will control its own destiny in climate change. The trusts are important for ensuring transparency, audit compliance and
accountability.
“The overall aim is to ensure that the rural communities who own these resources benefit to improve the living standard which is part of
our aims to achieve the millennium development goals.
“The trusts will be taken up in the new draft legislation which will have community input before it goes to Parliament,” Sir Michael said.
Sir Michael said he has told the Office of Climate Change to consult all relevant stakeholders, which includes resource owners, provincial
governments, NGOs, other government agencies, business houses and entities with direct and indirect interests in climate change
projects.
“It is important for the Government to gauge community views, but ultimately the Government will govern for the long term interests of
this country,’’ Sir Michael said. “This Government will not pander to big businessmen driven by self interest or international
organisations coming in to rip the people off.
“Consultation is necessary to take into account community views,” the Prime Minister said.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Brief History of Warakamb Valley
Introduction
There is no written history. But from what has been been passed on through the years, one can make out world events and make out some history.
The first Explorers/White men
The first explorers to the Highlands were in the 1930s. The first white man probably walked through the Warakamb Valley 5 or 10 years later. They were American. On noticing the beauty of the warakamb Valley, some decided to settle. Nobody remembers any names, but the locals all remember a Kon or white men. Nobody was killed.
The First Christians
The first Christians were not Adventists. They were Roman Catholics and Anglicans. They settled at Winja, Makep and Emda Manda. They set up cow paddocks, a school and others. They built very good houses, overlooking the Warakamb swamps. However, this was not to last for ever.
Trouble
The locals started doing nasty things to the white settlers. They left one by one and all were gone. The trace of them were only the tree they had planted. There was a big vacuum left.
The First Adventists
The frist Adventists arrived probably in the early 1960s. They settled at what is now the Walemtenges or Warakamb SDA church. They convinced and won the hearts of the locals and stayed with them
More Trouble
However, tribal fights started erupting. many young people went to war and not to return to the church. But the faithful few remained and kept the light burning, although, eventually it started to get cold. There cama time when things were just going down hill; spiritually, health and moral values and socio economic development.
The birth of WAECA
Around the 1990s, some of the pastors and missionaries who had gone from the valley to spread the world of God far and wide, started to return with their grown up children back to the valley. Coupled with some locally brought up elites, they formed what is now known as WAECA. They sat through long hours, day and night, in times of rain and sunshine, talking, debating arguing, to establish the foundations of WAECA.
Today
Many people respect WAECA. The Lord has blessed us. Satan is on the loose and trying to put us down, but Jesus defeated him by dying on the cross, then getting up again to go to heaven. With God on our side, we will strife to be better.
If you want to know more, contact us at info@waeca.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a message in the guest book.
There is no written history. But from what has been been passed on through the years, one can make out world events and make out some history.
The first Explorers/White men
The first explorers to the Highlands were in the 1930s. The first white man probably walked through the Warakamb Valley 5 or 10 years later. They were American. On noticing the beauty of the warakamb Valley, some decided to settle. Nobody remembers any names, but the locals all remember a Kon or white men. Nobody was killed.
The First Christians
The first Christians were not Adventists. They were Roman Catholics and Anglicans. They settled at Winja, Makep and Emda Manda. They set up cow paddocks, a school and others. They built very good houses, overlooking the Warakamb swamps. However, this was not to last for ever.
Trouble
The locals started doing nasty things to the white settlers. They left one by one and all were gone. The trace of them were only the tree they had planted. There was a big vacuum left.
The First Adventists
The frist Adventists arrived probably in the early 1960s. They settled at what is now the Walemtenges or Warakamb SDA church. They convinced and won the hearts of the locals and stayed with them
More Trouble
However, tribal fights started erupting. many young people went to war and not to return to the church. But the faithful few remained and kept the light burning, although, eventually it started to get cold. There cama time when things were just going down hill; spiritually, health and moral values and socio economic development.
The birth of WAECA
Around the 1990s, some of the pastors and missionaries who had gone from the valley to spread the world of God far and wide, started to return with their grown up children back to the valley. Coupled with some locally brought up elites, they formed what is now known as WAECA. They sat through long hours, day and night, in times of rain and sunshine, talking, debating arguing, to establish the foundations of WAECA.
Today
Many people respect WAECA. The Lord has blessed us. Satan is on the loose and trying to put us down, but Jesus defeated him by dying on the cross, then getting up again to go to heaven. With God on our side, we will strife to be better.
If you want to know more, contact us at info@waeca.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a message in the guest book.
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