Have you campaigned well during the Moresby Northwest by election?

Forty-two candidates, one seat.

That's democracy.

Only one female candidate in former senior public servant Anna Kavana Bais.

There was never a report about incidents of candidates and political groups clashing.

Used to be quite common in the highlands region pre- LPV system was used.

Well I guess with no violence- that's one of the advantages of LPV voting since its introduction in 2007.

Now moving forward with the one day polling scheduled for Wednesday, June 2, 2021- how have the candidates performed on their campaign trails?

I have only heard about Lohia Boe Samuel, Anna Bais, Zechariah Yakap, Jackson Kiakari, Thaddeus Kambanei, Sengol Parkop, Walter Yangomina and former NCD City Manager Leslie Alu.

Where are the others?

The latest I noticed, well just yesterday through an EMTV advert is the candidate for Charles Abel's Our Development Party in Tagaro Asiba.

All the others were through social media Facebook except for Sergie Otio, a poster on a mountain frame parked daily at the drive in to Moni Plus and Garden Hills.

Well for most I haven't heard them speak. I think one of the attributes of being a politician is to have an excellent ability to speak well.

I will post next sharing my opinions on why to be successful one has to use all mediums to campaign and promote your policies.

A bus accident in Port Moresby near the Boroko Foodworld (POM in pictures)

 A bus accident near the Boroko Foodworld at Gordons this afternoon held traffic up a bit more than usual. 

Just some afternoon pictures.

Indonesian intelligence report says PNG based militant group enlisting people to fight for West Papua's Independence

 Post Courier reports that intelligence information from Indonesian officials say militant groups are on a recruitment drive in several provinces in Papua New Guinea.

The recruitment for militia training and taking up arms is to join the fight for West Papua's push for Independence from West Papua.

A fight that has been going on since August 4, 1969 following the controversial Act of Free Choice.

The recruitment are taking place in West Sepik, East Sepik, Madang, Southern Highlands and Western Province, say Indonesian officials.

Papua New Guinea is conducting its own investigations and this followed a public social media video that went viral when a group of men in military camouflages claimed to be from the East Sepik said in "Tok Pisin" they were on a mission to support West Papua gain Independence.

Indonesian officials have told Post Courier that there are West Papuans residing in East Sepik providing military and combat training to those who have been influenced and converted.

Their main launch area will be in West Sepik.

Many years ago in the early to mid 1980's in West Sepik, people at the border from Imonda, Amanab, Bewani and Green River were heavily involved in what was called "wok bembe" to support West Papuans gain Independence.

Men would leave their villages and wives and spend months in the jungles that were quite closed then as opposed to today.

The zeal and passion for the mission may be there and if the intelligence information is true, what would be interesting is how would they engage, as opposed to the 80's.

Indonesia's TNI are reported to have beefed up surveillance and military presence at the border with PNG in West Sepik following the viral video of militant group.

Indonesian officials have also told Post Courier that they are keeping a close eye on West Papua leaders who have in recent times visited PNG.

West Papua Governor who is a Melanesian attempted to cross into PNG at Wutung during Covid-19 lockdown but was stopped and taken back to Jayapura few months back.

He is reported to have wanted to seek medical help in PNG.

A report by the PNG intelligence team will be handed to Prime Minister James Marape, Post Courier says.

Serious adequate response needed to induct Port Moresby bus drivers

Yesterday, police in Port Moresby went to their social media page and appealed to bus owners to educate their drivers about road safety.

This came about as a result of a bus with crashing with a semi trailer along the busy Waigani Drive at Stop and Shop, Waigani Central.

See picture below

The following notice was then put up by police on their social media page:

TOK LUKAUT IGO PAS LONG OL PMV DRAIVA NA BOS KRU:

"Sapos yu wanpla papa or mama bilong PMV bas, yu mas harim gut dispela toksave.

Yu mas toksave long draiva na bos kru bilong yu, long lukautim gut laip bilong ol yet na bilong ol pasindia, taem oli draiv insait long siti.

Wanpla eksident ibin kamap tete klostu long Waigani Stop 'N' Shop, bas stop, bikos draiva ino draiv gut na kamapim displa birua.

Plis tingim laip bilong yu yet na bilong ol narapla man or meri husat kalap insaet long PMV bas."

National Capital District Commission, National Road Safety Authority and Police traffic must now develop a new policy to curb the lawlessness that the bus drivers have been more like law unto themselves.

They are road traffic hazards to other road users and the passengers they carry.

Set conditions that

• All bus drivers will have to undergo a two weeks induction on road safety rules and traffic rules before they can be issues a certified pass to operate as a bus driver in Port Moresby
• They must carry this pass all the time with their licence when they operate
• The 'bos kru' must also under the two weeks training which can be run quarterly in a year

Issues that road users notice from the bus drivers today are

• Double parking
• Picking and dropping passengers at middle of roads holding traffic, not using bus stops
• Speeding using inside lanes and wanting to cross abruptly to outside lane bus stop
• Queue jumping from outside walkways or by passes like the one from Waigani Central to freeway. They cut in near the tunnel after raging through the by pass.

While we try and appeal to owners of buses, the onus is on police traffic to adequately enforce rules or laws.

A communications strategy and plan must be activated and communicated to these people who seem to think there is no law.

If we missed a generation, that is a big issue trying to get them back in line and we are stressed with issues.

The police department must ensure there is budget for education and awareness every year.

Essentially I agree, we need to get our drivers inducted to comply with traffic or road safety rules.

Housing challenges: Any aspiring politician talking about it?

Housing issues in Port Moresby is an old story.

Many working class families budget are hard hit by rentals and the consequence is the take home pay is very low despite a possibly higher salary than average Papua New Guinean.

The minimum wage rate is K3.50 per hour.

Rentals in Port Moresby average around K3,000 to K4,000 per month for a decent three bedroom apartment or house.

If you earn K80,000 per annum as your gross salary.

Forty percent of that (K32,000) can go to rentals as salary sacrifice.

Your salary would be around K48,000 but it seems there would be shortfall so you'd have to pluck another K4,000 from your salary to meet your rental for the year if it was at K3,000 per month.

But on a serious note, not many people earn around K80,000 per annum.

Rentals have soared exponentially during the construction period of the PNG LNG project pushing many average income earners in public and private sector to "bunk up" or stressfully rent a room in settlements or illegal buildings around town at rates of K300 to K500 per fortnight.

That was even the case pre-LNG construction so we were into this doldrum, an already depressing situation well before.

Imagine the rates mentioned were just at a rate for a room, not a whole house where one would call home.

The government has been called on to look into housing issues but I rather think the private sector should also help in alleviating this.

Many city residents who make this city function also live in settlements.

Many contribute to making thousands or millions for companies that allow their managers to live in posh locations.

It's time to make sure, everyone is equally afforded a decent housing to be regarded a home, make families happy that they have space.

Elections and we hardly hear candidates talk about how they are addressing housing issues.

The working class must ask about this.

If they have not, I am asking through this medium.

Did any candidate for the Moresby Northwest by-election highlight what he or she would do to address this.

Housing and settlement expansions are big challenges for the city that must be addressed appropriately and gradually now or we face a problem in future.

Alarm bells have already sounded that we have a problem.

Please address housing woes and bring rentals down.

If we cannot do this, we got to increase wage rate so residents can afford to live in a decent place that is truly expensive.

Education Minister Jimmy Uguro to meet country's inspectors and education advisers

Minister for Education Hon. Jimmy Uguro, MP is pleased to meet all school inspectors and provincial education advisers for the first time since he took office as the new Minister in January this year. 

The inspectors and the PEAs will be here in Port Moresby for the week-long joint National Ratings Conference on Monday, May 24 – Friday, May 28. 

“Inspectors play a very important role in our national education system. 

The work they do informs the government of the progress in education,” the Minister said. 

The Department of Education is implementing a number of very important policies and programs which were developed using funds and resources provided by the national Government, development partners and stakeholders. 

 “We need to ensure that these policies and programs are being implemented, monitored and benefits they have on our students and teachers reported. 

This is where our school inspectors’ commitment, time and hard work are critical,” he added. 

The Minister said he looks forward to meeting the inspectors and the PEAs on Sunday evening when he will officially open the conference.

Central Province: A land of plenty

 I visited a good brother who teaches at Sivitatana Primary School in the Rigo District, Central Province on the weekend.

What a blessing, he asked me to collect some pork and some Rigo banana.

The drive to Sivitatana was perfect sealed drive from Port Moresby to Kwikila and then another 20 mins to Sivitatana alas there are few pot holes and unnecessary humps.

The humps are a road hazard.

Someone has to crack down on this.

People can't put humps without a notice for drivers indicating a hump.

Well why do I say Central Province is a land of plenty?

Driving past you see massive unused land with beautiful scenery.

That's the first huge asset they have.

Imagine if this is turned into commercial farm lands to feed the hotels, motels, shops and guest houses in Port Moresby.

There's already sealed road for example along the Magi Highway and you have electricity from Port Moresby pulled through.

With electricity, you can use it to irrigate farms or build storage facilities.

With the sealed road, you can transport the produce to Port Moresby.

We just got to put the nuts and bolts together and sure something realistic and workable should function.

We create jobs. We generate income from a sustainable and environmentally friendly venture.

Well at Sivitatana, there's a huge lake in there and while I was there fishermen brought huge number of catch they did and their wives will take to a road side market to sell.

The inland pieces of land are described as not too arable but what if we use develop and use good irrigation and mulch the soil a bit.

We should definitely see massive results.

Kwikila has important services and infrastructure already there like PNG Power.

It should develop into a huge town with good hospital, police stations, hotels and motels.

Attract Port Moresby residents to Kwikila.

Many places in outside provinces do not have the luxury as Central Province has-and near to the melting pot multiracial Port Moresby.

Central Province is a land of plenty opportunities.

Do we have time to sit as family pray and eat?

 Just over 40 years of Independence and mind you if you had an oversight, so much has happened to Papua New Guinea.

• Many people have graduated from universities
• Technology has been introduced and people adapted or are adapting to it
• Many people have cars than before
• Lifestyle changes, people adapting to Western culture
• Many people  speak English fluently and can understand it as well

Well these are a few sticking out from me.

You may have countless others.

Essentially we have transitioned and for the better or not, you be the judge.

For me I feel there were some ideals practiced in the far gone days that held us as a family unit and nation together.

For example sitting together for dinner.

In fact a prayer is culturally offered before meals and during meals parents offer guidance and give wisdom talk to children.

It's a promotion of behaving well and abiding by laws.

Sadly today in my view we are not into this.

People in urban areas like Port Moresby are too concerned about money and they work overtime selling items on streets or working at their offices.

In settlements, when it should be dinner time to sit together and eat, children as young as five or four are roaming the streets.

They probably just head to bed without spending time with families praying and eating, and parents care less.

Parents are overworked and tired.

Their dwellings are not spacious as a home so family can sit together and eat.

Some families live in just one room.

The housing challenge faced in urban Papua New Guinea in one way or another does not promote a happy healthy family growth.

It exerts enormous stress and pressure on families and so they can't sit together, pray and eat.

We should break that challenge. I choose challenge over problem because we can over come it.

We need to change the culture.

Revert back to the culture of family sitting together for dinner pray and eat.

The government has a responsibility to make decent housing affordable for anyone.

From humble beginnings: Rose Delicacy opens at Unity Mall

 

Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do- Liz Smith

I met my college friend Dennis Orere at the Unity Mall centre at Waigani in Port Moresby.

He was just having his light breakfast before heading off to work at EMTV.

He works as a journalist/presenter and producer. No need to introduce him but for this space, I am doing so.

Dennis says that is more his usual daily routine in the last five days.

Why? He pointed to his right and says he owns a little food café and just checking out his team, more like the family is setting up for the day.

I was so… so impressed with Dennis and honestly confirmed to him that I am scouting for a place too.

Unfortunately upon inquiry most available spaces similar to Dennis' space have been taken. Size of about 2m by 3m.

They are just a little under K2,000 a month.

Denise says that is his side hustle to generate income and support him and his family.

In Papua New Guinea or Port Moresby today, we can’t be too dependent on our salary to keep us going for two weeks and that is a reality.

But on a serious and bigger note for Dennis, this is the small beginning with many opportunities for huge success in my strong view.

Why do I say this?

First his opened a place in a place where thousands of potential customers would come.

It’s like getting out from a shed in your backyard to a billboard.

You get noticed and potential to attract a customer is higher then being at your backyard shed.

Many MSME people are looking for a formal place to set up and start up.

He has scored it.

Second and this is most important, he is selling food.

You won’t go wrong running a trade store selling food.

You will have customers every time no doubt. 

People need food and water to survive.

One just has to  build stocks and sell fast.

Don’t look far, the Asians are good at that and they start from a tuck store to a supermarket.

Denise has begun with his local menu and once that is loved by customers, that’s his unique product.

If he doesn’t prosper and expand, it would be mismanagement.

Just had to be forthright here Dennis, proud of you.

Dennis unique menus are tapioca cake, banana cake and pariva with ripe banana or sago.

Check out the Rose Delicacy at the Unity Mega Mall, its named after his mum.

If you are an ex-DWU Communications Arts student, check out Rose Delicacy anytime.

Dennis' business venture reminds me of Liz Smith's quote that we have to start somewhere.

 

Rigo Rice produced from Central Province is on sale

Hey Papua New Guinea.

Rigo Rice from the Central Province is now on sale at main supermarkets.

The current distributer is Wantok Wholesale based at Six Mile-in the same compound where DHL office is located.

Upon inquiry today, their wholesale prices are

• 20 kg K74.00
• 10 kg K35.00
• 5 kg K18.50

They boast that the price is higher than other brands because of quality.

Some Papua New Guineans say if its locally produced, its price should be lower than the imported ones.

You be the judge and make your decision if you are after quality (relational shopper) or price (transactional shopper).

Motu-Koitabu mobile health service

Dadi Toka Jr assumed the political leadership as Chairman of the Motu-Koitabu Assembly last year and he is not stopping anywhere to deliver health and education services.

 Recently a mobile bus clinic.

"Thank you to all the stakeholders involved with the modification of this 40 seater bus into a mobile clinic for Motu Koita villages," he said.

" This mobile unit will be launched soon for the covid19 vaccination rollout in our villages.”

 #papuanewguinea #motukoitavillages #nzhighcommission #steamships #ncdpha #digicel #mka #mobileclinic #vaccination #mkhealth #sleevesup #partnership

How you should campaign during elections?

There is no fixed formula to use when finalising your communications strategy to campaign during national elections.

So what you and your team do is your prerogative.

What I would like to share here is with the intent to stress on key areas during communications with key consideration given to audience, messaging, platforms and use of the 5W and 1H.

• Audience

Always consider your audience as No:1. So when you communicate with them, use the language that many people understand. If you are not conversant with the language majority know about, apologise and continue with what you can fluently communicate and articulate your ideas and plans

• Messaging

Your messaging must be CONSISTENT. I can't stress this enough. Be consistent with what you say. Do not criticise or talk about others. Discuss yourself. Discuss your visions and plans. In my next point I will discuss what you need to say. But for now, you see many people get into court for slander because they want to talk about others. That makes you weak. Don't! Be inclusive always use "we" not "I" often. Sometimes over praising yourself will make your fans lose that traction with you. 

• Platforms

There are many platforms to use and all have niche audience. So you need to plan out your budget. Your messaging and choose appropriate platform at an appropriate time. Popular platforms are

1. Social Media (Facebook, YouTube)
2. Radio
3. Television
4. Newspaper
5. Video campaigns

In the six weeks of your campaign plan which key messages need to be driven out on a weekly basis so that they are driven into the hearts and minds and are permanently stored.

That's how crazy you would have to be.

Within your budget choose which media platform to use. Appropriate messaging for a platform one at a time but each must be relevant, consistent and appreciative. Eg throw a key punch on a 15 seconds radio advert. Draw them to a One Min Facebook video teaser which will draw them to a 30 mins video on a TV station that can be watched again on your Facebook page. A key theme about your vision or plan can be advertised on newspaper and your posters. Keep them simple and protuding. Don't over do your messaging.

• 5W and 1H

Many people miss this a lot. In your messaging. Focus on HOW you will do it. It's become too monotonous candidates discuss WHAT they will do. But affluent voters now see it as talk being too cheap. They want to know HOW you will do it and if you've done your research well, delve to WHEN you will do it. If you cannot, stick to HOW.

The story of West Papua's fight for de-colonisation will be never ending

The story of West Papua's fight for de-colonisation will be never ending 

I moved with my parents to our village in Green River, West Sepik in mid 1990.

For almost three decades my parents lived in Amanab, just north of Green River.

It was quite an experience for me adapting to life in the village that is situated about less than 20 mins drive from Green River government station and several kilometres from the PNG/Indonesia border.

Some of the care free life adventures I enjoyed though were going fishing, hunting for 'ton' in the jungles and swimming at the pristine Green River that meanders from Kambriap in the far north and quite near the PNG Indonesian border through to my village and then to the Sepik River, at Yabru village.

I recall sometimes I felt a bit apprehensive when we used to have Indonesian military helicopters heard flying over and then the sounds fade.

They were quite regular.

One one Sunday during church service we literally saw a helicopter and hear its sound- I think it was like a Chinook hovering around the Kambriap area.

At that time there was quite a heated guerilla ambushes and attacks between the Indonesian military and West Papua freedom fighters.

The borders were not quite as opened today.

We believe they were looking for OPM guerilla fighters.

It was at that same year refugees at Amanab, Green River and Vanimo (Black Wara) were repatriated back to their districts in West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya).

In Green River, there were reports of villagers along the Sepik coming across dead bodies of Indonesian military floating down the Sepik River presumably killed by OPM rebels around the Patom and Huhi areas.

I heard it from elderly men who were trustworthy village leaders.

This week we hear reports about Indonesia launching an oppressive against the West Papua Freedom fighters (formerly identified as OPM).

SBS International TV in Australia has reported about this.

In Papua New Guinea, a Facebook video that has gone viral, has a group in military camouflage and weapons, identifying them as 'Sepiks' have claimed to be now fighting with the West Papua Freedom fighters to kick out Indonesia and ultimately declare Independence.

"That's their ultimate goal."

The PNG police and military officials are investigating the viral video because the PNG government's political stance on West Papua issue is that 'it is an internal issue for Indonesia.'

Though Melanesian countries like Vanuatu has openly declared its position that Indonesia must afford Independence to West Papua.

You see, the issue of West Papua is complex and will be never ending.

The energy and campaign option be it protests, guerilla ambush and war or media releases and attendance to world meetings to garner support will not cease.

This is their cry from the heart.

But in my view they need to fight as 'one'.

And not necessarily taking up arms.

They must talk and discuss. No matter how long it takes.

War must not be an option.

What should Papua New Guinea do?

The report about Papua New Guineans supporting the West Papua Freedom fighters could trigger Indonesia to step up its presence at the border and with the border already opened up, innocent PNG citizens can be caught in between.

I just received information from my uncles back in Green River that they bring their sun dried cocoa beans through the Hauser River and then to a country Indonesian post.

They say roads there are prefect and small sedans pick them up where the river ends and they get off.

Indonesia has really built attractive infrastructure along its border from Jayapura to the mid highlands, west of places like Green River, Yapsie, Tumolbil and Telefomin.

These infrastructure and improved services are like bright city lights for PNG citizens at the border where service delivery as compared to Indonesia is poor.

While the PNG government sees West Papua issue as 'internal' its people at the border from Vanimo to Western Province can be caught in a cross fire when the political war escalates and the government must do everything it can to protect the people.

• Develop the border region so that people are not attracted to Indonesia

 

• Step up military, customs and police presence to stop any illegal border crossing for people to join the freedom fighters

 

• Government must proactively engage in dialogue to settle the West Papua issue once and for all. The country and its people will be caught in between in any circumstance

Man killed during hit and run accident along Poreporena Freeway

Nothing much but we stress here that can our bus drivers take heed and be conscious about safety.

Obey police and traffic rules.

Last week members of NCD Traffic Police impounded two buses and fined them K1000 each using Traffic Infringement Notices.

The PMV operators were told to pay the fine at the Department of Finance and produce the official receipt before they could reclaim their buses.

This police action was taken because the PMV buses were traveling along the Poreporena Freeway; which is an unauthorized route.

Coincidentally, a man who came out of a PMV along the Hohola section of the Poreporena Freeway was run over and killed yesterday by a speeding vehicle.

The victim reportedly came out of a PMV on this unauthorized route and was crossing the Freeway when he was knocked over.

This is exactly the reason why Traffic Police are clamping down on PMVs who are using this unauthorized route.

It is not only illegal but very dangerous.

Police warn PMV Operators to refrain from driving along the Poreporena Freeway.

Who owns the land behind the National Broadcasting Corporation in Port Moresby?

 This is a critical question to be asked at this time as you realise squatter settlements-huts and houses have been erected.

Sooner it will be a full settlement of illegal settlers.

Lately, as Port Moresby expands and more infrastructure like roads are built, people have been displaced.

In most instances these people have own permanent dwellings like homes and or shops worth thousands of kina.

The state gives them a notice to vacate within a period of say 90 days and when they do not, reason being it costs much to relocate, their time lapse and the state demolishes their property.

Thinking hard about this, all could have been avoided.

- People would not have been displaced

- Properties worth in thousands of kina would not have been destroyed

- The state would not be affected in having to give notice and wait before it could begin work

What do we need to do?

Look at the NBC situation, illegal settlers are moving in.

Electricity is being pulled through this beautiful landscape with a million dollar view.

Before the NBC or anyone who owns this land tussles with the 'illegal settlers' when they have permanently erected their dwellings, STOP THEM NOW.

The recent incident at 9 Mile roundabout is a sad reality, a man said he lost properties worth millions of kina.

Poor bugger has been doing well and though he owned the place, the state did not stop him when he started. 

He has grown overtime only to be dragged down to ashes to start again.

The challenge is for all government agencies, urban planners or land administration people is to be proactive and protect state land or any property from illegal 'annexation' well before people claim ownership of it and then you go into a dispute.

The practice of displacing people after they have settled overtime on state land must be discouraged, just stop them when they are trying to move in.