Unveiling of new building in Mt. Hagen

By Peter Solo Kinjap

A new 3-storey building be called “Bernarding House” has been unveiled today by Western Highlands Governor Rt Honourable Paias Wingti in Mt. Hagen city today.  In officiate the new building that adds colour to Mt. Hagen city after a couple of buildings have been torched down in recent times, Hon Governor Paias Wingti said this is a new development for the province. “This is a part project of certain projects undertaken by Essar Project since it was invited to rebuild the provincial government in Western Highlands and Catholic Auditorium to be erected at Rabiamul soon,” the Governor said. The building was named after Western Highland Catholic Arch Bishop Father George Bernarding. Long time Catholic Bishop Douglas Young was also present to officiate the new building for catholic. Bishop was serving Western Highlands for over 80 years. 

Photos Credit: Howarig Traders (Marketing Agent)/2015.

Famous Baiyer Zoo to reopen with Rare Animals and its popular Bird Sanctuary

Story by PEARSON KOLO – Mt. Hagen
THE once popular Baiyer Zoo in the Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea will soon introduce new and rare animals including different species of birds once maintenance work is completed.
The chairman for Tourism and Hospitality for Baiyer LLG and Councillor Paraka Mendaki said he would start collecting rare animals to be put in their new home for tourists and the general public to visit.

The road to Baiyer Lumusa. Baiyer River Zoo is the most famous in the 1970s. Photo: Peter Kinjap, 2014.

Mr. Mendaki said the re-opening of the zoo will be of great benefit to the people of Mul Baiyer and Lumusa as the zoo will house animals that will attract tourists both locally and internationally. Mr. Mendaki said the Baiyer Zoo management is also calling on the public to bring rare animals in. “The Baiyer LLG and the zoo management will get these animals and put them in the zoo for people to see. Many of the animals ran off or were released into the wild when the zoo closed,” he said.
The undisputed Supan Councillor for 40 years said he will be putting a submission before the Baiyer LLG, the office of the local MP and the Provincial Government seeking funds to purchase the rare animals.

Western Highlands and Enga Cultures. Baiyer River is so close to Enga Province. Picture taken in 2012.

“We will put many rare animals and birds in the zoo as soon as possible so that the standard and status of the zoo can be attractive as it was in the past.” The upgrading and maintenance work at Baiyer Zoo is almost complete after state ministers and MPs visited it early this year and allocated funding for it to be maintained and re-opened. The Baiyer Zoo Bird Sanctuary was a major tourist attraction in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s but was closed due to mismanagement.
*Pearson Kolo is a freelance journalist based in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Engan women in traditional Sili Moli singsing attire.

 Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary (Some basic FACTS)

In the Western Highlands, the Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary represents a higher altitude ecosystem.  Located 34 miles (55km) north of Mount Hagen, the park is a habitat for a number of interesting mammals such as tree kangaroos, possums various species of birds to watch.

The beautiful Usano creek in Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province. Southern shares border with Western Highlands. Photo taken in 2013.

Baiyer River offers hiking trails that can either be tackled independently or as part of a guided trip.  The hiking trails lead along ridges that not only give you a chance to check out wildlife but also the scenic vistas of the surrounding terrain. Rough water drifting is possible for adventure lovers with escorted tour guides along the Baiyer River.

The Wafi Fall also know as Beafer Fall is in Kutubu, Southern Highlands. Western Highlands shares a border with Southern Highlands. Photo taken in 2013.

Bird Watching and Exotic Tours packages for Baiyer Zoo

For bird watching, Baiyer River Rough Water drifting and exotic tours to the Baiyer Zoo and news update of the new-look Baiyer Zoo, please contact us via email at: howarig4@gmail.com

Tambul men proudly marching through the streets of University of Technology. Photo taken in 2014.

We are super excited to talk to you if you are coming. Welcome to the highlands of Papua New Guinea, an exotic country for exotic experiences! There is more to experience than just a mere visit. The PNG highlands is pristine and exotic to discover. It is described as one of the last frontier on earth to visit.

Papua New Guinea Minister describes tourism sector as a “Sleeping Giant”

THE tourism sector in Papua New Guinea is a ‘sleeping giant’, PNG Tourism Minister, Boka Kondra said.

Mr Kondra went on further to ask the heads of department in his tourism ministry to bring their plans and goals into line to create stability and vision for Papua New Guinea’s tourism industry to grow, the Pacific Islands News Association has reported. “There is misalignment among the sectors in the tourism industry,” Mr Kondra said, urging the department heads to “discuss a way to move forward” with a common goal to bring profitability to the country’s tourism industry.
Mr Kondra said the tourism industry was an economic sector and therefore an integral part of the government’s focus on growing the economy. Admitting to never wanting to be the Tourism Minister, Mr Kondra said he had “come to learn that tourism is a sleeping giant” and, as such, must contribute to the growth of the country, something that that could only be achieved if the entities worked in alignment. “The prime minister has given a clear vision and now I want us to follow that in our tourism industry,” Mr Kondra concluded.
Papua New Guinea has confirmed it will be exhibiting at World Travel Market for the first time this November.

Cultural Festivals in PNG are very rare and colourful thus standing out good for tourism attraction. The photograph is a young woman from Chimbu Province in the PNG Highlands region surrounded by young men dancers at Goroka Show. 

                 The famous Goroka Cultural Show and the world’s best Mt. Hagen Cultural Show are annual events whole year round. For this year 2015, Goroka Cultural Show is set from 11^th to 13^th September coinciding with PNG’s independence celebrations on the 16^th September and Mt. Hagen Cultural Show is set from the 15^th to 16^th August 2015.         To feast your eyes with a rich highlands cultural festival, exotic sightseeing, visit Biayer Zoo for rare animals found in the world and bird watching (Bird of Paradise), contact the PNG Highlands Exotic Tours via email below.

A Raggianna Bird of Paradise is the National Symbol of Papua New Guinea, featured in the National Flag and the National Crest. Found only in Papua New Guinea, ranging from the coastal rainforests to about 1,600metres in many PNG Highlands Valleys. 

To feast your eyes with bird watching including the Bird of Paradise, please contact PNG Highlands Exotic Tours below!

Sightseeing around the PNG Highlands region may include a spectacular view of the Highest Volcanic Summit in the Oceanic region including Australian continent, the Mt. Giluwe. To book a trekking package for Mt. Giluwe trekking, sightseeing of typical highlands village setups near Mt. Hagen and bird watching, contact PNG Highlands Exotic Tours below!  

The weather was a bit cloudy but it’s a fantastic view of Lake Kutubu from far along the road as you travel to Moro, (a township of PNG’s Oil and Gas companies, Oil Search Limited and ExxonMobil Corporation (Esso Highlands Limited are based) . On an island at Lake Kutubu, here you find Tubo Lodge. It’s an idle location for those seeking vacation get away. Fishing in the Lake Kutubu and sightseeing around the wildlife areas of the thick jungles of PNG Highlands is an exotic dream to discover for yourself. 

             Contact PNG Highlands Exotic Tours for your next vacation trip to get away in an island of Lake Kutubu in the PNG Highlands.

A wild cuscus found in and around the forests of Lake Kutubu. A fantastic sightseeing of wildlife in the Kutubu area. This photograph was taken in 2013 at Tamadigi village, Lake Kutubu.  

For PNG Highlands Cultural Festivals, Sightseeing, Bird Watching, Mt. Giluwe trekking, Baiyer Zoo visitation and for a holiday get away at Tubo Lodge at Lake Kutubu, contact PNG Highlands Exotic Tours via email at: howarig4@gmail.com for a fully escorted and in-bound tour guide services!

Pacific Island Society in the UK - Fostering stronger PACIFIC-UK bilateral links

THE Pacific Islands Society of the United Kingdom and Ireland (PISUKI) is to promote relationships between the peoples and countries of the Pacific Islands and the United Kingdom and Ireland. Members have lived, worked or traveled in the Pacific, and include Pacific Islanders living in the British Isles. 

Photo: Paralympians from Samoa: Leitu Viliamu and Mile Toleafoa  posing for a picture with Sani Muliaumaseali'i, Samoan opera Singer (Tenor) and Layered Art Creator. At Easter Island Talk get-together organized by PISUKI.

Among the society membership are VSOs, diplomats, tourists, academics, clergy and many other ordinary and extraordinary people with Pacific Islands connections.

Europeans have been involved with Pacific Islanders for more than two centuries, with their roles in trading, colonising, Christianising and shaping the now mostly independent Pacific Islands countries, while creating romantic South Seas fantasies at home. 

Photo:Margaret Taylor, PISUKI newsletter "Outrigger" Editor and Vicky Glass, Solomon Islands Paralympian Team Attache.

The society (PISUKI) maintains that there is much more to be learnt from the peoples of the Pacific, as well as an obligation to support them through the difficulties facing their small developing countries in a changing world. PISUKI holds a “Pacific Day” annually in the UK, bringing members together for a social gathering with Pacific Islands entertainment.

Photo (R-L): Reggie Balavu (PNG), Vicky Glass (Solomon Island Team Attaché and PISUKI Member), Farlaii Katalake (Solomon Island) Team Manager and Oe Jameson (PNG, PISUKI Council Member).

PISUKI offers the following;

·         Bringing People with Pacific Islands interests into contact with each other through social gatherings and networks.

·         Offering assistance and hospitality to visiting and resident Pacific Islanders in the UK.

·         Promoting knowledge and understanding of the Pacific Islands, its peoples, cultures and current affairs, through public meetings and discussions, conferences and artistic displays.

·         Providing a welcome and a platform for prominent visitors from the Pacific Islands to report on current affairs and issues from the region.

·         Advocating Pacific Islands interests on issues involving government and other institutions and bodies in the UK and Ireland.

·         Acting as an umbrella organisation linking societies and affiliated organisations which represent particular Pacific Island countries or interests, in the UK and Ireland and in Europe.

·         Providing a network of expertise to supply accurate information on Pacific Islands topics and issues.

Photo: Chris Luxton (right), Chairman of PISUKI introduces Professor Conrich to the PISUKI Members at the Easter Island talk.

 For membership with the society please apply to the Membership Secretary:

   The Secretary

   9 Pershore Road, Halesowen
   West Midlands, B63 4QJ    West Midlands, B63 4QJ   United Kingdom

   Email: info@pisuki.charitydays.co.uk

Photo: Victor Lal (Fiji), Honorable Chris Laore, Politician/Solomon Islands team physio, and Mo Beg (Fiji) PISUKI member.

View the Constitution of the Society here: http://www.pacificislandsuk.org/Constitution

The Society publishes newsletters: 'The Outrigger' and 'PISUKI Report'- to keep members in touch with its own activities and with events in the Pacific Islands, and in the UK. Link to sample copies of past publications here:  http://www.pacificislandsuk.org/outrigger

Photo: Oe Jameson (left) from PNG is a PISUKI Council Member with Casper Pule, Solomon Island Paralympics Team Mission - holding a flyer for the upcoming production GAFA: "A Family called Samoa"

More about upcoming and past events, including pictures on PISUKI's official website here: 

http://www.pacificislandsuk.org   You may wish print a copy of the Membership Application Form - click this link to the website: http://www.pacificislandsuk.org/membform/ - soon to be updated

*Photographs courtesy of Chris Luxton at the PISUKI organized Easter Island Talk by Professor Ian Conrich.

Mt. Hagen's Kagamuga airport to be International Airport: says Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

THE Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP, has christened the new latest addition to the Air Niugini fleet, Fokker 70, with the name "Mt Hagen."  The unveiling ceremony of the Air Niugini Foker 70 was held outside the new Kagamuga Airport terminal in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province, today.
In unveiling the aircraft, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Mt Hagen as a centre for regional transportation that has strong working relationship with the national carrier.

"Air Niugini will continue to be a strong development partner for this province and the country," PM O'Neill said. "The province and Air Niugini have worked hard to strengthen transport industry and provide transport services to the people of the Highlands as well as nearby provinces.
"Air services play a vital role in the Highlands region given the rugged terrain. We must continue to maintain strong support to uphold the highest standard we already have in Air Niugini. This is both in terms of safety and service that we provide to our citizens.

The Prime Minister highlighted the comfort of the inaugural flight to Mt Hagen in the Fokker 70, which will commence servicing rural parts of the country shortly. "This Fokker 70 is the first out of a fleet of six aircraft that will join Air Niugini in the coming months." PM O'Neill further congratulated Air Niugini for the establishment of the Link PNG services to our communities, particularly in the rural areas.

"Air Niugini has a community service obligation that it takes seriously, and is creating a low cost budget airline that will service our rural communities. "Air Niugini is here to meet the travelling demands of our people and it continues to be a strong government partner." The Prime Minister said the government has placed a priority on the redevelopment of airports throughout the country.

"And here in Kagamuga, we are also constructing the new airport terminal, which will be officially opened this August. "Like many other things, most of our infrastructure has been critically neglected for many years.

"So our Government has began investing heavily in redeveloping this infrastructure. "We are developing this new infrastructure through smart economic management and working with counterparts in the Asian Development Bank and other institutions." After the unveiling ceremony, PM O'Neill inspected the progress of the new Kagamuga Airport terminal, before returning to Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neil with Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti and other Ministers, MPs and Air Niugini staff.

Cutting of branches remains a hired job

By Peter Solo Kinjap

A young man from Mendi, Southern Highlands Province ventures into doing the scaring yet dangerous job of cutting down branches of big trees as a hired job. Las Saki, aged 39, lives in Mt. Hagen has been providing his service of hired job for individuals, companies and groups since 1979 when he was at his rape young age. “I have been doing similar jobs all around the country since long time ago in 1979. I was hired to do this job for people. I have been doing this in Lae and the Highlands region,” he said. He cut down the breaches successfully today with more than 200 people inversely watching.

“Westpac Bank (PNG) Ltd has hired me to cut this tree. I have my own equipment that I use to cut trees including a belt to climb and ascend,” he added.

The tree was about 500m tall and unrealistic for a normal man to climb and cut the branches. It has taken him a day to do this job, which is much faster than normal.

Westpac Bank (PNG) Ltd Mt. Hagen branch has hired Saki to cut down the tree as the tree leaves and dying branches in the heart of Mt. Hagen city poses risks and danger for the public. The traffic was blocked off and the work was done during the weekend, 02 and 03^rd May 2015.

There are reports of people being killed and power poles have been broken down due to falling branches of big trees. If you wish to hire someone to cut down a tree, look no further than Las Saki who is a very skilfully person to do the job timely and easily providing his own equipment. He can be contacted on mobile: 71258444.

 

Photos Credit: Howarig Traders/2015.